Merlin (youngmagician) wrote in colligo_threads, @ 2009-09-30 23:06:00 |
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Entry tags: | merlin |
Who: Merlin and Lancelot
What: Playing the Wii and having angsty girl-talk about their respective unrequited loves
When: BACKDATED to right after the Gwen/Lancelot walking thread, but before Merlin turns into a recluse
Where: Merlin's living room
Notes: Log/Thread. Incomplete
MERLIN: Merlin had spent a while fussing about with wires and cords, none of which he understood until he realized that it was all matched up by color. The wii was fascinating, and he had barely finished one game before calling Lancelot to come try the new toy. One of his friends at work allowed him to borrow it for a few days. Mario Cart was his favorite, with the round controller that steered the curious little characters around a track. He sat on the floor waiting, leaning left and right a little more dramatically then he really needed to each time he turned the red man named Mario around a corner. There were snacks in the form of chips, fruits, and candies on the small coffee table that he'd been picking at. M&Ms were his favorite so far. There was a wide assortment though because he wasn't sure what Lancelot would like. LANCELOT:Lancelot knocked on the door, then rocked on his heels, nervous for some reason. Merlin was probably the most disarming person he'd ever known, and yet, he felt unsettled about this get-together. Perhaps it was the idea of learning this game Merlin had spoke of, yet another mystery of this bizarre place. But then, maybe he just didn't want to have to talk about what he'd learned from Guinevere. Or... did he want to talk about it? Would that help? Merlin certainly shouldn't have to be bothered with all that, that was sure. It was all too confusing, and Lancelot's stomach felt a little like a jousting match as a result. MERLIN: Merlin looked towards the door, turning too long, and crashing poor mario off the track and into the water. No matter, he had to start the game over anyways so Lancelot could play. He'd figured out two player mode before starting. So he left the game on pause, and went to pull open the door. A smile quickly found it's way across his features as he ushered his friend inside. It was good to see him again. "Lancelot! How are you?" He greeted. Lancelot was just the person he needed to see. They hadn't seen each other since Lancelot left Camelot, and he would be a good distraction from his concerns over Gwen and Arthur. He wasn't sure how he liked that. They were his friends, and if they were happy he ought to be happy for them. Which he was, or would be, if not for his fears that what he'd read in stories about Gwen, and the other odd feeling that he pushed aside and avoided giving name or reason to every time he thought of them. LANCELOT:"Merlin." Despite what he'd been feeling, Lancelot found himself grinning at his friend- Merlin had a bit of an infectous smile, he remembered now. He gave him a quick, friendly hug. "I am... well, I suppose. And I am happy to see you." MERLIN: Merlin returned the brief hug and led Lancelot inside, closing the door behind him. "You suppose?" He asked, wondering what was troubling his friend. It was likely that he was still just unsettled by being trapped here, and Merlin wasn't sure if Gwen had gotten a sword to him yet. However, on the chance that it was something different, Merlin had to ask. Lancelot was a good friend to him despite the short time they'd known each other. In part because what they'd been through in that brief time, and Lancelot himself was easy to like. It was also in part to the fact that Lancelot had known about Merlin's magic before any of the others, and had not thought differently of him, and even kept his secret. LANCELOT:Lancelot shifted a bit uncomfortably and glanced out at the collection of white... jumbled... something lying across Merlin's floor. He momentarily ignored Merlin's concerned question, as he still wasn't sure how to begin talking about it. "What in God's name is all that?" MERLIN: "That's a Wii!" Merlin answered quickly, offering a wide grin as he pulled Lancelot over towards it. He acted like it was the most impressive thing he'd seen, and was quick to press one of the controllers into his friend's hand. Taking his own controller, he moved to start a new game. "You turn the wheel in the direction you want to go. It's like driving one of those metal car things outside. And that button there makes you go." He pointed the buttons out, and eventually started the race, giving Lancelot a minutes warning before hand. LANCELOT:It wasn't really enough warning for Lancelot, who was half gaping at the device and half attempting not to throw it across the room in response to thinking about his walk with Guinevere. He fumbled with it for another full minute, attempting to do as Merlin had said, but quite incapable of getting the grasp of it. "This is terribly bizarre," he commented, blinking as the tiny wheeled thing on the screen seemed to be struck by multicoloured lightning. MERLIN: Merlin laughed and nodded excitedly. "I know. I like it." He commented, but looking over at Lancelot he noticed the other wasn't any where near excited as he was. Pausing the game again, Merlin motioned to his little sofa, going back to his earlier question of 'you suppose?' "What's the matter?" He asked curiously again. Merlin had thought that Lancelot would be excited and curious like he was. The Wii device was perfect for distracting yourself from whatever was bothering you. Merlin knew that fact first hand, as he'd been ignoring his own feelings and worries for a while now. LANCELOT:It made Lancelot feel guilty, the way Merlin was so excited for him to have fun, so eager to share the joy of this discovery he'd made. And Lancelot was just dampening the whole thing. He lowered his small wheel and looked over at his friend, going heavily to the couch. "It's nothing, Merlin. Do not worry yourself over me." MERLIN: The sorcerer was quick to shake his head, and pull the wheel away, setting it aside without a second thought. None of them like to burden the others with their problems, and everyone was just as headstrong about helping each other regardless. "It's something. You can tell me." He assumed it was the same thing that troubled everyone when they got here. Being dragged from home to this strange place, and that was easily set straight. After all, this place was wonderful once you got used to it. Even if he did miss home, there were worse places you could be trapped, no doubt. LANCELOT:Lancelot turned his head to him again and could see that his desire to help was genuine. Of course it was. Merlin was never anything less. He shook his head. "It's ridiculous, honestly. I barely even knew her, and yet..." Lancelot trailed off with a quiet sigh, and fixed his eyes on Merlin. "Have you ever been in love, Merlin?" MERLIN: Merlin forgot to breath for a moment when Lancelot started. His fears about what he'd read in the stories about them returning. He couldn't say anything though, Morgana said not to, and in things like this -- Merlin was sure that she would know better then him. Of course, the fact that he was upset, the way he started. It sounded like Gwen hadn't returned his feelings which was -- Well, good, he supposed as far as Gwen and Arthur were concerned. However, he hated to see Lancelot upset as well. He flushed at the questioned turned to him. "I -- I don't know. I guess." He shrugged, unsure and a little uncomfortable with the question mostly because he couldn't answer it. LANCELOT:Lancelot smiled sheepishly. "I wish I could be so unsure. Perhaps then this would hurt less." He ran a hand through his hair and decided Merlin probably deserved further explanation. "I assume you know about Prince Arthur and La-- and Guinevere?" MERLIN: Merlin was just as easy to read as ever. It was clear that he'd been sincere in his concern, and his distress at the mention of Arthur and Guinevere was just as obvious. He nodded slightly. "When we were aged, Gwen's was older...She said they get married." He wasn't sure how comfortable he was with that. It just didn't settle right, no matter how badly he wanted to be happy for them if they were happy. LANCELOT:Lancelot hadn't thought it possible, but his heart sank even more deeply into his toes. "Married... they get married?" He had thought... well... courting was one matter. Though he knew it was horrible to hope, there at least was just that-- hope. But marriage? MERLIN: Merlin knew that feeling all too well. He had experienced something similar when learning what may come to pass in time. He sunk back into the seat and nodded slightly. "It might not...I mean that was assuming we were in Camelot. We're not, it might change." There was a pit in his stomach, a lump in his throat, and a nagging voice in the back of his mind suggesting things about his whole problem with Gwen and Arthur being together that Merlin refused to believe were true. He and Lancelot had similar problems. However, it wasn't Gwen that Merlin was particularly focused on. "If they're happy...I just -- I know..." He understood how Lancelot felt, but didn't quite know how to express that. Especially not without giving away his own feelings on the matter. LANCELOT:Again, Lancelot saw how Merlin struggled to cloak what he was feeling. From the look on his face and the sound of his voice, Lancelot might have thought perhaps Merlin shared his heartbreak. But, that couldn't be so? He had asked back in Camelot if Merlin shared more than friendship with Guinevere, and he had quite assuredly said no. And surely, he would have been able to tell if Merlin had been lying. Perhaps then he was merely feeling lonely. Arthur and Gwen were his good friends, and Lancelot could imagine how one might feel cast out under the circumstances. "I... tried to kiss her," he confessed softly. "That's when she told me. I just... from the moment we met... I have never felt so strongly about anyone so quickly. And I had believed... well, hoped, I suppose... that she felt the same. But I was wrong, clearly." Lancelot fidgeted, and laughed dryly. "I don't blame her, really. I understand. Prince Arthur is... well, I couldn't blame anyone for falling in love with him." MERLIN: Merlin gave a small, sympathetic nod when Lancelot admitted to kissing Gwen. He wasn't all that surprised really, not when what he'd read, and what he'd seen himself of Lancelot's feelings for Gwen. Clearly, by his words she had refused him, which Merlin supposed was a good thing despite the disappointment he couldn't help but acknowledge. As much as he worried for Arthur, not wanting his friend to get hurt...There was still something more to his feelings on the matter. The comment of 'Prince Arthur is...' set Merlin going. Lancelot had barely finished speaking when the sorcerer began. "He's a prat. Self-centered, constantly getting in trouble, arrogant, too proud to --" He ran a hand through his hair and stopped himself. There was a touch of annoyance in his voice, but there was obvious affection in it. As much as those things irritated Merlin, that was Arthur, and for all his faults he still found himself foolishly loyal and cared for the prince. "Sorry. We still haven't been speaking much, and he's with Gwen now -- I'm glad you're here. I suppose I've just been -- I mean, I spent time with Morgana, but it's not the same." LANCELOT:Lancelot glanced over at Merlin curiously. Were he the sort of man who jumped to conclusions, he might wonder if... if his friend could relate to him better than he'd realized. There was just something far too familiar in Merlin's voice, in his eyes. "I apologize for my selfishness. It must be difficult for you too. I know you are close, with both of them." MERLIN: "No, you're not being -- I'm sorry about what happened. I always thought Gwen liked -- well, not Arthur." Merlin shook his head quickly. When they had first met, Merlin had thought Gwen and Lancelot were both taken with each other. The stories supported that. Arthur on the other hand... He didn't know, honestly. Merlin hadn't actually seen the two together since they got here, he'd seen them talk over the journals. Some of which was kind of disturbing for him with the obvious flirting, but they argued too...and he was a prat where she was always just so good. "I think we should race and not think about it." He didn't like thinking so much on Arthur and Gwen...and how Lancelot might somehow fit into that picture. LANCELOT:Lancelot offered Merlin a small smile and nodded. Perhaps his friend was right. Sitting about moping and melancholy would do no good, and it certainly was not knightly behavior. "I think that is a good idea," he agreed, and picked up his small white circle... object. He looked at it and turned it about a few times. "I just... move this around?" MERLIN: Merlin nodded, retrieving his own controller with renewed excitement. A smile pulled at his features, amused at the sight of Lancelot twisting the steering wheel this way and that. This was what they needed. Weird games of the future to entertain, and take their minds off their respective problems (which happened to be the same problem, mostly the same). "Yes, just turn it in the direction you want to go. That button is for gas, it makes you move. Then this one is to slow down or stop. You can also press this one, it does weird things like drop banana peels in the road sometimes." Merlin was beaming again, excited to show off what he'd figured out about the game. LANCELOT:Lancelot furrowed his brow, but decided it would probably be easier to understand once he'd tried. But honestly... banana peels? He shook his head and allowed himself a grin of his own-- it really was difficult not to once Merlin was doing it. "Alright then. Let's start." MERLIN: Merlin nodded and pushed start, the screen splitting for them, counting down from three, and then GO! Merlin pushed down on the little button that was meant to make him go, which he did, but for the first few seconds his character went in a circle before driving along in the right direction. "You have to get all the way around the track three times, and be the first one back to win." Merlin made a face as the odd mushroom creature hit his person with something so now when he turned the controller left, his person went right. LANCELOT:Really, Merlin's instructions all seemed like empty words. And Lancelot kept losing track of where he was supposed to be watching. He managed to sort of get the hang of the turning bit, but lord, the strangest things kept happening to his 'car.' As he'd hoped though, after a minute or two, things started to clear up a little. He even managed a delighted laugh when his little car crashed into Merlin's, sending it spinning. MERLIN: Merlin jumped slightly in the seat when Lancelot's car crashed into his, and they both ended up spinning. In an attempt to right himself, he twisted the small wheel, but for some reason was leaning that direction too. By the time he got his car going straight again, Merlin was laughing and leaning into Lancelot. His own car was moving dangerously close to his friends again. "I'm not very good at this game." He chuckled despite having been playing it almost all day. LANCELOT:Miraculously, Lancelot found himself laughing as well. He nudged Merlin's shoulder with his own and waited as his car was fished out of the water he'd driven it into. "I don't think I'd know the difference," he pointed out. MERLIN: Merlin weaved left and right on the course, not quite grasping the idea that it only took small movements in either direction to get what he wanted. Not that it mattered. They were both enjoying themselves, and that's what was important. Merlin had wanted to see Lancelot again, and they both needed cheering up. "Ah! That turtle thing just knocked me over the bridge." He made a face and waited for his character to be reset from the water. Last place. "How are you doing in this place? See you got some clothes to fit in." Merlin commented, smiling his approval at the outfit. Lancelot looked good in these new clothes, they suited him, where Merlin still wasn't used to Gwen and Morgana in them. LANCELOT:"Sorry, I think I let that one loose," Lancelot admitted, just before he finished the race next to last, barely a hair in front of Merlin. He grinned sheepishly as he lowered his wheel. "Beginner's luck, I think." He looked down at his strange clothes and flushed. "Oh, yes. My er... 'room mate' helped me find them." He still wasn't entirely alright sharing a home with a young girl- it just wasn't proper. But he always made sure to keep his distance when appropriate, and Alexis seemed fine with the arrangement and eager to help him. "Today's... realizations aside, I find myself rather enjoying this... world. And... you've helped, quite a bit." MERLIN: Merlin shrugged, not too concerned about losing. He was usually in the last couple places regardless. He set the controller down and resisted the urge to chuckle at Lancelot's blush at mention of his clothes and room mate. It kind of made Merlin curious who he was rooming with. "I haven't really...I'm glad you enjoy it here though. It's amazing. Everything is so strange and bright and exciting. I was even able to tell Arthur about my magic, and there are other sorcerers here, I don't have to hide it anymore..." He was beaming again, clearly not having to carry that secret really lessened a weight from his shoulders. "Back home though...I really appreciate you keeping my secret. It means a lot. What did you do after you left?" LANCELOT:Hearing Merlin speak with such wonder and optimism, Lancelot wondered how it was possible for anyone to find fault with this place. He smiled widely, warmed to know his friend was happy, at least in some things. "I suppose it is. And it is truly wonderful that you are able to be free with your magic. That must have been a great burden." He held up a hand and shook his head. "Honestly Merlin, it was nothing. The least I could do. As for when I left... I continued my travels, mostly. Went everywhere, learned everything I hadn't and improved what I had. It was... good, fruitful. I did miss Camelot, though." MERLIN: "I'm glad you're here now." Merlin said. He liked having Lancelot around, not only because he was a little lonely not being a constant at Arthur's side, but because the other had been a good friend to him in the short time they'd known one another. "I think we should go explore this city together some time. I wander the streets as often as I can, but I doubt I'll ever be able to see all the strange things this place holds." Merlin had discovered the wonders of fried oreos the day before, and had to keep from spending all his money on the hot, sugared treats. He was eventually getting used to people looking at him funny when he told them his name as well. "What did you learn while you were away?" He was very all over the place when he spoke, curious and excited. LANCELOT:Lancelot smiled. Merlin's almost childlike cheerfulness, his bright eyes and bright smile, were rather endearing. "I would enjoy that," he told him truthfully. Spending more time with Merlin seemed like the perfect way to keep his mind off... other matters. He laughed dryly, though, at the question. "Just a lot of swordcraft and some hand-to-hand combat. You don't want to hear about it, trust me. It would bore you to tears." As if Merlin needed such means of defense anyway, given the sort of power Lancelot had seen him to possess. MERLIN: Merlin was obviously a little more excited at the thought of Lancelot going through the city with him. In an instant he was planning all the different things he wanted to show the other, and places he wanted to go next. Merlin enjoyed wandering the city and discovering new things, but doing it with a friend would make it that much more fun, no doubt. That way people wouldn't look at him oddly when he found something spectacular and had to share his excitement with the nearest stranger to him. "You're right." He laughed a bit and shrugged off the talk of swordplay and fighting. Still, he was pleased for Lancelot, and hoped that when they did get back home he would return to Camelot to be a knight. "Unfortunately swords don't come in handy much here. No one uses them anymore." LANCELOT:With a laugh at Merlin's honesty, Lancelot nodded. "Yes, I have noticed that. But I have one anyway. From Gui-- from Guinevere." He hoped his friend did not notice the way his voice stumbled over the name, or he'd have brought the conversation to that heavy place yet again. MERLIN: If Merlin noticed he made no comment on it. He saw no reason to return the conversation to that low point. The light hearted mood was appreciated, and he was sure making comment on Lancelot's feelings would only start questions on his own upset. "I suppose it still would be nice to have. Sort of like a familiarity thing, piece of home." Merlin suggested as best an explanation for it as he could figure. "If -- When we get back, you'll come back to Camelot, won't you? I mean, we don't know how long it will take before we're sent back, but I think you should." He asked. LANCELOT: "That it is," Lancelot agreed. It was true-- his hands felt quite empty without the familiar weight of a hilt, and he was incomplete without a scabbard at his hip. He glanced over at Merlin, meeting his eyes. Last week, he would have known his answer without a thought, and it would have been yes. But now... God, everything just seemed so different. "I... I don't know if that would be wise, Merlin." MERLIN: Merlin's smile fell, it seemed silly not to come back just because of a 'problem' with Gwen. He wanted Lancelot to come back, especially if the trend continued with Arthur and Gwen spending time together like they were. Merlin loved them both to death, but he didn't particularly want to hang around either when they were flirting and whatnot, it was a little awkward for him. "Are you sure? I mean -- you don't have to go back to be a knight right away." He said, sounding hopeful that Lancelot might change his mind. "You can keep me sane, give me a break from Arthur being a prat, and having to save his life all the time." He smiled slightly again. They didn't know how long it would be till they got to go home, it could be a while, but on the chance that it was sooner rather then later Merlin wanted to know that Lancelot would come back to Camelot. LANCELOT:Lancelot's lips twitched at the corners. It did seem a bit difficult to turn down, when Merlin put it that way. "I will think about it, I promise. I only fear that my own weakness will bring more harm to the knights than good." MERLIN: Merlin shook his head. "Nonsense. They'd be lucky to have you. Spoiled bunch of nobles could probably learn a thing or two from you." He was pleased by the promise to think about it, but wouldn't be totally satisfied until Lancelot agree to come back. Even if only for a little while. LANCELOT: "Thank you, Merlin," Lancelot answered quietly. It was nice to have a friend with such faith in him. Merlin always had, right from the very beginning. "And Arthur is lucky to have you. Even if he is too great a--" he took a moment to recall Merlin's word, "--a prat to realize it most of the time." MERLIN: Merlin's smile was a little less genuine, and he gave a small shrug. Arthur was -- well, he was certainly a prat, that was for sure. Even here, with Arthur knowing about his magic, things weren't like he'd expected. Maybe it was silly, but Merlin always figured that once Arthur got over the fact that he'd kept secrets from him, that the prince would recognize how much he really did for him, that things would be different -- better between them. Instead it seemed that learning the truth had just drove them apart, now Arthur had turned to Gwen, and away from him. "You want to try telling him that?" Merlin said, offering a half-hearted sort of laugh. LANCELOT: The look on Merlin's face, however he tried to mask it, was slightly heartbreaking. In that moment, Lancelot knew the truth. "Actually, perhaps I do," he replied honestly. He had made Arthur listen to him once, maybe he could do it again. He owed it to Merlin, to at least try. For now, he reached out and squeezed Merlin's shoulder lightly. "You love him... don't you." Lancelot had meant for it to at least sound a bit more like a question than it did, even if he didn't really need an answer. MERLIN: Merlin refused immediately; tensing, shaking his head, stating 'no' outright without second thought. He'd told himself no so many times that it was an automatic reaction to Lancelot's suggestion. He didn't - couldn't love Arthur. Not only would it be foolish, and masochistic, and not his place in the least bit. Not that Merlin ever cared too much for his 'place' in the world of Camelot, beyond how he needed to act to keep from the noose or the dungeons. Still, Lancelot wasn't asking. He leaned back a little, avoiding his gaze, and considered it for a while. "I care about him...I mean, obviously. He's a good man when he's not being a prat, we're supposed to have some great destiny, I was his servant but it was different most of the time..." He bit his lip, stopping himself before he said something even more stupid like actually saying he lov-- "Don't say anything, please?" He would never hear the end of it from Arthur, and had the feeling it would only make the growing space between them worse. LANCELOT: Lancelot exhaled slowly. He hadn't considered that maybe Merlin himself hadn't even realized what he was feeling yet. But the boy seemed to work through it, stopped denying it quickly. Lancelot tightened his grip on his shoulder. "Of course," he assured him. "I kept your other secret, and I will keep this one just as diligently." MERLIN: "Thank you." The tension in his shoulders eased away, and the firm grip offered some comfort. Saying it out loud helped work out some of the confusion he'd been feeling, and he trusted Lancelot not to tell anyone or judge him. Of course, the new fear that his feelings were so obvious made him wonder if -- No, Arthur couldn't know. They hadn't seen much of each other, and he was too self-absorbed to notice something like that, no doubt. |