Merlin ♟ Liam Gallagher (merlyn) wrote in mythologs, @ 2012-06-17 20:27:00 |
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Entry tags: | !zurvan, menelaus, morpheus |
[closed/complete]
Characters: Menelaus [avaliantman] & Merlin [merlyn]
Date/Time: Yesterday, backdated before the escaped horse shenanigans.
Location: The Ranch
Rating: PG
Warnings: None? Lizzie.
Summary: Merlin wanted a horse...
It is difficult to say why Merlin does most of the things he does, but regardless to say he has been particularly tense since The Incident as he had taken to calling it. Frankly it was too embarrassing to even go into details. His brother had run off with a princess, and not from one of the countries that wouldn't mind. Oh no, he had picked the one country who would go into war to right their honor and get their precious princess back(probably to cast her out again, what did Merlin know- he didn't care enough).
So while he pondered what to do, he sent his people working about, trying to find the exact location of his brother and his...well, bride? Eloped? Lover? Whatever, it didn't matter what. The damage was done.
The trip down to Menelaus' ranch was quick, he needed some fresh air, and he needed a good sturdy horse. Trains and such were all well and good, but sometimes old-fashion worked best. He sent word in advance that he would be dropping-by.
That word had been received and Menelaus was waiting outside, with a pretty chestnut mare who wouldn't stop trying to chew on him. "Goddamnit, Lizzie, haven't you got something better to do?" he muttered and pushed at her for the fourth time. She snorted and moved right back toward him, nuzzling the back of his head.
It was ridiculously cute but he knew chewing would follow and he'd be back to pushing at her. Maybe he'd sell that chancellor fellow this one.
Merlin approached at his own pace, lifting a hand in a warm, friendly greeting. "Why, Menelaus, long time no see." Not really that long, but it seemed like the polite thing to do, "Still breeding pretty horses?" His eyes flicked to the chestnut mare by his side, who seemed to have an affinity for the back of his head. Oh dear. "I need something... special."
Right down to business then, trust him to make this efficient for the two of them, they could have tea after.
Special, did he? Menelaus grinned and pulled the chestnut closer. "You've come at a good time. This one ready to be ridden and likes to think she's special." He looked fondly at the big beast, who opted then to blow her breath in his face. "...she's very special, in fact."
He couldn't wait to make some money off her.
"I can see she has a lot of character." Merlin lifted his palm to rub her forehead a little, trying to test how the horse took to him. "How well does she run and jump?" His hand moved slowly down her neck, taking a brief glance at her feet. She was a fine animal, no doubt there. Of course, Menelaus was known for his horses, and it was a well deserved one.
"You see, my life is complicated and I need an intelligent animal to ride back and forth discretely when required." That should be enough of a hint that things were not right.
Lizzie decided then was the time to sneeze at Merlin. She didn't look one bit apologetic either about it.
Ugh, politics. Aeneas and Hector were made for this. Even Aphrodite. Now, he could deal with it fine but he liked living the life he did, king of his ranch and home without the fuss and headaches of the region in his face. "Maybe she might not be the one, as darling as she is," Menelaus admitted. "But I do have a grey who is quieter and more obedient."
Merlin laughed when she sneezed on him, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face. "I like her spirit." He admitted, "Maybe she can learn to misbehave when required." He wasn't a saint, he enjoyed having a little bit of spirit in the things he did. Or a lot of spirit.
"What is her name?" As he asked he began to inspect her closely, the coat, the legs, the feet. Not that he thought Menelaus would cheat him, but, Merlin would rather be safe than sorry.
They said Merlin was odd but Menelaus only tended to believe things when he saw them. The casual reaction to Lizzie's behaviour just made him wonder. But, hey, if he still wanted the mare, that still worked for him.
"Lizzie. Just Lizzie. It's not short for anything," he informed him as he watched the other, far from offended. "She does ride well. Gets a bit distracted, especially when she sees ladies with scarves. Bit of the devil in her, I think, since she sneaks up on them and tries to take the scarves."
And that made Merlin feel gleeful in a rather not-very-nice way, he gave a wide and toothy grin. "Yes, I believe she is just right for someone like me." Maybe this horse just needed the proper guidance, a little nudge in the right kind of trouble to cause. Not unlike his choices in politics. Stopped his inspection, "Your reputation is very well deserved, Menelaus. Shall we go inside for some tea? We can discuss prices and perhaps you'd be so kind as to let me take her around the field?"
Yes, he was totally inviting himself in, but he figured that since he got along with his wife and all, it would be just fine. Besides, you never knew what people like Menelaus knew, even if he was here in his ranch... you never know.
...yeah, he was weird. Shaking his head out of amusement, he looked at Lizzie. "Hear that? He thinks you're right for him. Now, you'd better not go and let us down after a statement like that."
There was no objection to the whole inviting-himself-in bit. The man was in politics and one did not try too hard to poke them the wrong way. He was sure Demeter was inside somewhere. "Sure thing. I'm sure we've got cake, too. Demeter would know. And then you can drag around Lizzie all over if you like." A pause. "She'll smell cake on you, though. You might get chewed on."
Merlin couldn't help but take to Menelaus right away, maybe it was because he was his own brand of weirdness. "I get verbally chewed on every single day, I'm sure this is no big deal." He could take a few horse nips, better than a dagger to the back of bullet to the skull. (Ow). In his usual, amiable manner, he gave Menelaus a pat on the back and began ushering them inside, "I do hope you'll stick with me for the tea, cake and the ride. You might have to instruct me and give me the tips so she does not take me by complete surprise."