Merlin ♟ Liam Gallagher (merlyn) wrote in mythologs, @ 2012-06-22 00:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | !zurvan, merlin, morpheus |
[closed/complete]
Characters: Morpheus [morphly] & Merlin [merlyn]
Date/Time: A few days ago.
Location: The Umbrella.
Rating: PG
Warnings: none
Summary: Some political talks.
The walk consisted of Morpheus following Merlin around the streets of Camelot, which wasn’t much of a problem aside from Morpheus frequently making (occasionally rude) comments about the way of life in the region, and that might’ve just been a sign that he really did not take well to being around other people that weren’t his kind. But everything was fine enough — he kept on teetering back and forth from wanting to hit Merlin and not wanting to hit Merlin, strangely enough, and conversation got more and more ridiculous until Morpheus mentioned he was tired of walking around already.
And quickly enough, they were in a room being served tea and sandwiches. He thankfully took well enough for the tea, but as for the former… “How are your ties with Babylon?” he murmured, almost privately not entirely serious, and entirely not looking for an answer as he poked at the sandwich.
Merlin was easygoing, even under a lot of pressure, and he was trying to read Morpheus better. Part of him found the Ryugunese rather charming- even though he was grouchy as hell, and part of him just wanted to do his job. It seemed, however, that there would be no compromise, Heimdall and the princess - nothing more or less. He didn't quite like it.
"Ah, they're fine, I'm not much of an opium user, or interested in that lifestyle." He answered earnestly, Merlin might be weird, but courtesans and such? Not really him. "Why? Do you want to go?" His grin grew, "I didn't think the Ryugunese were fond of Babylon and their ways."
But then again... who knew.
Morpheus pulled himself back, not exactly willing to admit he was talking about the sandwiches again. He shrugged and took a sip out of his tea. "I've been," he answered, "and it's not that the Ryugunese wouldn't be fond -- we'd most likely not care. Their way isn't our way." And that was how Morpheus was raised, and he'd always thought it was a simple principle.
"Our way isn't their way, either. And it isn't yours," he pointed out plainly, probably going back to looking like he was just going to take everything seriously and never laugh at anything again. "I'm sure you can understand that, Merlin. I think you'll agree with me when I say that we would all just prefer if everybody respected that principle." Morpheus averted his eyes, thinking of Sigyn again as he traced his cup. "And unless the Emperor ceases to see the situation dealt with as he sees fit..."
"It isn't that simple." Merlin was serious but smiled warmly, he leaned over and bopped Morpheus on the tip of his nose trying to break the tense air for a moment. "I know that the princess and her lover will be put to death because of their crimes." He shrugged, "Our ways are not your ways, and your ways are not ours. You rule over the Ryugunese and you should leave the Camelotians to us."
Sigyn was all theirs as long as he could have Heimdall back. Maybe he'd be imprisoned for life. At least it'd spare him the horrible torture of being put to death in Ryugu-jo.
Morpheus proceeded to cover his nose with the back of his hand and glare intensely at Merlin. He hated it enough when people touched any part of his body with no reason, and his nose just happened to be extra sensitive. "This certain Camelotian has wronged our way, and if this wasn't dealt with by my people, do you understand what kind of message that would send to the other regions?"
Another sip. Morpheus saw and understood more than anything why Ryugu-jo needed the Camelotian in their possession, but what is Sigyn? The Emperor was right, she would probably follow, but she wasn't what Morpheus was here for. "Do you know what the worst case scenario for this situation would be?"
Merlin smiled, undaunted by the turn of conversation, he folded his hands, resting his chin on the palm of his hand. "Those are fine lines, your excellency, I am not saying the Camelotian shouldn't be punished. He should, but not by your laws, but ours, he is still one of us. Do you see what kind of message it would send other people if we let one of our own be punished like this?"
"Enlighten me, what is the worst case scenario."
It was really starting to bother Morpheus, how often Merlin just smiled sometimes, and if it were appropriate to tell the chancellor to, quite frankly, quit it, Morpheus would've done so when he first got to Camelot. He shook his head to himself and said in a monotone, "A lot of dying, and I don't imagine a lot of living."
Morpheus looked up and met Merlin's eye, though half his mind was still far away and with Sigyn. "You'll trust me when I say that I know the Emperor Ryujin, and that I know him well. If things do not turn out the way he wants them to, then the possibility of a war is just dangling over our heads." And then with a bitter smile he added, "And you'll also trust me when I say that I don't want that for anybody."
If Merlin was the kind to stab someone, he would do it with a smile, yes but the smile did not quite reach his eyes as the discussion went on. He didn't mind being frank about it, but he didn't quite like having to continuously pulled and push the demands. "I don't want war either, ambassador. It is the last thing in my mind." He sighed and straightened up. "I really do not have the Camelotian and your princess here."
He licked his lower lip, "But if you had a choice, would you really want your princess back? Do you not at least pity the girl?"
Morpheus didn't even blink.
"I'm the ambassador of Ryugu-jo," he started, hand steady on his cup, "I'm here an extension of my Emperor. Technically speaking, chancellor -- I am the Emperor, if you choose to take it that way. If the Emperor wanted the princess back, then we would be talking about very different things. It's pointless it ask."
But for a moment, he felt the tired sink into him, the days sleepless taking their toll. "Either way, I suggest our regions work on finding both of them. No use in negotiating over something neither of us have, it's idiotic," he said, sounding incredibly annoyed. "I could easily have my people come and discuss matters with your marshal."
Merlin seemed not phased, instead he smiled up at the other as if the words had not had any impact at all - they had - but he wasn't going to appear bothered about anything. He was testing the waters and measuring how far he could reach. By the time Morpheus was done, he was still all smiles, but the way he straightened was not very welcoming. "Marshals are best left out of this unless you want to declare an act of war, ambassador. I appreciate your position, but, while we will do our best to find the fugitives, we need to have clear rules on what will happen when we do."
His smile dropped slightly, "It is far from idiotic." And then he was leaning back, "Our queen wishes to speak to you, so I'll arrange for that at your convenience."
Morpheus took a deep breath. Rules, as if they needed any more things to disagree on, but he supposed it was necessary if both nations planned to take the situation on at least half-fair with one another. "Just know that you're not going on this search alone," he simply said before taking care of the rest of his drink to calm his nerves the slightest bit.
He rolled his eyes again, clearly disagreeing, but he didn't feel like arguing over it anymore. "I hope she likes me," he muttered sarcastically, but he noted that he definitely needed a word with his uncle. "But I don't see a problem with that," he shrugged, "About time as well."
Merlin leaned across and bopped Morpheus once more, playful in his mannerisms again. "Our Queen has many things on her mind." the chancellor replied, not seeming at all offended by Morpheus' sarcasm or anything else, instead he leaned back. "I'll have that sorted for you as soon as we get back."
This time, Morpheus didn't make any move to cover his face, but his closed his eyes and seethed for a moment. Then his eyes narrowed at Merlin from across the table and nodded and didn't reply any further. But he leaned back on his chair, forcing himself to relax. "I'll need more tea."