ty | morpheus (morphly) wrote in mythologs, @ 2012-06-18 01:13:00 |
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The weight was on Morpheus’ shoulders and they seemed to double when he landed on Camelotian ground. The weather was absolute shit — not that it was a surprise, but it didn’t exactly lighten up anything. The one person that Morpheus probably cared about above everybody else had decided to run away to go with the flow of true love — he still scoffed and shook his head at the thought but it was Sigyn and it wasn’t going to end well in any case.
With not even a blink of sleep from the flight and the day after, Morpheus stepped off the plane and pulled his coat tighter around his body. He was told that somebody would come to greet him, and that his arrival would be kept tightly under wraps, though surely some word some word of the situation had already gotten out. Morpheus composed himself before he walked and met halfway with the man approaching. He tried not to frown too much, but he figured a nod of acknowledgement was a good place to start.
Merlin was tall and lanky, and he liked having the advantage height when confronting people, especially the ambassador of a region they had pissed off. He also was very warm and personable, smiling openly and offering his hand in greeting. "Welcome to Camelot, Ambassador. I'm afraid I must apologize for the weather, but alas, that is the way it is here."
Already stepping in and setting the rules, Camelot had it's own way, and it was not going to bed for Ryugu-jo's sake.
Morpheus held back on a big, heavy, and displeasing sigh, which probably wasn’t the reaction that was expected from him, but he wasn’t going to be all smiles either. Instead Morpheus glanced sideways coldly and accepted the hand, gripping it firmly the way he’d be taught so many years ago.
“You can either read my mind or you get that a lot from visitors,” he stated dryly as he started to walk, figuring that a roof above his head would be appreciated. As much as Morpheus tried to suppress it, he looked around his surroundings with his eyes starting to narrow.
Merlin just grinned wider, "You discovered my skill, mind-reading," he teased, "I know the climate of your region." He clarified after a moment, "I figured," Shrug, "That this was probably not to your liking. Unfortunately I cannot fix that, but you can rest assured I will do anything in my power to make this as painless for you as possible." It also meant more painless for him. "So if you'd like to rest and refresh yourself, you're welcome to, or we can get down to business, your choice."
He couldn’t help it, but Morpheus raised his brows, condescendingly surprised he was being talked to with reason and humor, but then again he could be more hostile, but the effort was lost on him. To Morpheus, and perhaps the rest of his region, Camelot was at fault here.
“Painless,” he said quietly, musing himself with the probably impossibility. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll have the rest on the night to myself…” he answered, trailing off at the realization that he didn’t know the other’s name.
"Merlin." He filled in without missing a beat, a huge smile was offered, though this time it was more-shark-like than funny. "Morpheus, I will show you to your rooms and if you need anything- please let me know." Camelot was not at fault, clearly for him? It was the princess willing to forget her duty. That was the true problem.
"Or are there questions you have?" Despite the fact Morpheus had said he wanted to be alone, Merlin was reluctant to do that.
The name automatically rang a bell — “The queen’s chancellor,” Morpheus confirmed with a brow raised because he was told about him, too. A ridiculous remark flew across his head and it probably manifested in a slight shift of his eyes and a small smirk. But he shook his head, it was important to be alone and take the situation by stride and know as much as he could possibly know, though he didn’t come unprepared. And besides, the Camelotian was towering over him in a way that rubbed him wrong.
“Tomorrow should be a better day,” he said, sounding like he didn’t believe himself. “How will I see you?”
"Maybe I should get you a bell, you can ring it so I come running." Merlin laughed, "Come along though." He lead the way back, "Our style is different but I do sincerely hope it won't be too inconvenient for you. Perhaps you might even enjoy it a little." His hand moved to guide Morpheus along, hovering over the small of his back but not touching.
"Tomorrow should have a bit of sun, yes." He rolled his shoulders, "I can station a servant outside, let them know you need me and I'll come. Or send back a message, after all there are a lot of things to attend to."
Morpheus shot Merlin a strange look for a minute, allowing himself to part from all the commotion in his head to realize that he probably hadn’t heard anybody laugh and let alone crack jokes since he found out about Sigyn’s escape. Quite frankly, he was unsettled by it and the heat just above his back didn’t help, but he followed where Merlin led.
“Perhaps,” he answered, though he severely doubted it. And then, “Whichever’s painless, but I’m here to get the work done as soon as possible. I’m sure you want that, too,” not that he meant the ‘painless’ bit. “Although, I do have a question.”
Merlin's first goal was to make Morpheus comfortable, by any means he could in order to have a better bargaining position. Damn those Ryugunese for being so pretty though. "Nothing has to be painful unless we decide to make it so." He gave a quick shrug. "Yes? Ask whatever you need."
It was probably wise to stop making comments on the subject of pain, so Morpheus quickly dropped the subject. He took a breath, a pause, and then subtly averted his eyes from Merlin. “The man the princess ran away with — who is he?” he is asked, practiced and perfected evenness wrapped around his tone despite the rumble of anger in his chest.
Merlin's smile dropped, less genuine and more like a smirk. He could gamble it all in one move and win slightly or lose. He turned fully to Morpheus, hands settling on his shoulders with ease and drawing him closer, drawing him into the position intended.
"The man who took your sister, though acting selfishless, is not a bad man. He's not a ruffian, nor a coward - we do not condone what he has done, but he is not a bad man." Merlin debated his words, "He would make the person he loved happy. The appointment to Ryugu-jo, well, he was picked because he was worthy of it."
A sigh, played up for Morpheus, "As I said, we do not condone his actions, but the man who took the princess - is not someone worthless. Rather the opposite, he has done something unforgivable, but not with wrong intentions. He never meant to dishonor your traditions."
The discomfort and unfamiliarity rippled all over in one quick second. The close proximity of Merlin and his words combined — somehow Morpheus felt like two different persons. It was a strange situation. Morpheus took comfort in the fact that his cousin wasn’t off with the spawn of Satan, and though he had every right to be relieved, it didn’t settle his mind enough.
But Morpheus looked straight at him anyway. “That’s not what I asked,” he said, maybe a subtle way of saying that whether the man his cousin was in love with was a good one or not mattered very little to the situation at this point. “You’ve led my convinced that you know his name, I’d like to know.”
Merlin gave Morpheus' shoulders a squeeze, "Tomorrow we'll talk of such matters, for now, Ambassador, it is best you get your rest after such a long trip." He dropped his touch and straightened up. "I promise you, that I will do all in my power to make sure you have Camelot's full support."
Morpheus took a deep breath, his expression caught in between confusion and suspicion. He wanted so badly to pry, but felt it inappropriate. But at the same time, his gaze stayed where Merlin held him down (or at least that’s what it felt like) a moment ago. “Thank you for the sentiment. Tomorrow it is,” and tomorrow it had better be before he excused himself.
Merlin stood rooted to the spot waiting for the Ambassador to close the doors and disappear into his own chambers. Well, at least Merlin understood one thing - if all the Ryugunese were as pretty as this one... he probably had been drawn in by that. Tomorrow though, for now, he was going to read, make plans and... maybe a shower.
A cold shower to clear his thoughts.