InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Everybody to the Limit!"

Nimue (toloveuncharmed) wrote in utr_logs,
@ 2012-01-15 23:20:00

Entry tags:

merlin, mordred, nimue

Who: Nimue and Mordred, potential guest appearances by Merlin, Gaius, maybe others.
What: Fire, blame, and betrayal
Warnings: Smoke! Fire!

Watching a young child was tiring. Amy was too young for school, so she was home with Nimue all day. Nimue adored the girl, and didn't regret a second of her time with her, but when it was time for Amy's nap, Nimue had brought the girl into her own bedroom to lie down with her.

She'd planned for a short nap, and wanted to be awake by the time Mordred got home. She didn't trust Mordred alone with Amy. She'd seen the way the boy looked at her daughter, and it made Nimue very uncomfortable. She knew that it could have been because he was jealous of the girl, and maybe she could help it by giving Mordred more attention, but her gut reaction was to pull herself and her daughter further away from the threat.

Nimue had overslept. It was well into the late afternoon when she was woken by her daughter's screams. She darted up in bed, terrified to see her daughter wasn't lying next to her. Thick smoke was in the air, and there were flames in the hallway. Nimue coughed, and the smoke was making her eyes tear up. She could see her daughter in the corner of her room. She got up and began moving toward Amy, but part of the ceiling fell and flames shot up between Nimue and her daughter. The girl screamed louder, crying out.

Nimue reached out a hand and shot water across the flames, putting out a path for her to reach her daughter. She swept the girl up in her arms and moved toward the hallway.

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the_druid_boy
2012-01-16 06:21 am UTC (link)

Mordred's day had been slightly better than the usual. He had sort of made friends with Jake Thorn, for one. Maybe it was the fact that the other boy had sent him a few presents that had something to do with it. Plus he didn't really fancy fighting a son of the Antichrist every day. But.. Jake seemed nice enough. And hey, he gave presents. He made sure to thank him. Even though he did still think the notion of a fat man in a red suit and eight reindeer giving gifts was a tad silly. When he had gotten home, he had went straight into his room, not bothering to say hello to anyone. It wasn't that he hated Amy. Well, not enough to end a life at least or attack her. He just didn't like the feeling of being replaced. He had before felt nurtured, perhaps loved. But then it seemed he wasn't alone, that he was in the background in a way. He liked being important, having attention. And he had to admit his looks at her as they were probably didn't help him much either. The young Druid boy sometimes had a gaze that looked as if he stared into your soul and was displeased at what he saw. But he had liked being the only one. But now there were others, future children of Nimue and Merlin.

Mordred didn't see Nimue, so he had assumed she was either sleeping or out at the store. He sat in his room, his new blue cloak on the bed. He preferred the green that he wore, but blue was nice. He had for fifteen minutes, been reading one of the books he got as a gift. Something about Druid cultures and Celtic symbols. And then it happened. FIRE! Flames all around the place. He didn't know how it started. He certainly didn't do it. He was confused, standing up as a part of the fire licked at his other book, then on the bed and his blue cloak had caught fire rather quickly. The fire reached the walls and ceiling, the floor.. and at the very book he as holding. He backed away and swung it in the air to put it out. But the pages were frayed and words messy, the cover was blackened. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself, and his face eventually became a blank stare. He saw his open doorway, the flames had not yet covered it so he maneuvered his short, slender form through, right before the fire covered that way as well.

He was in the hallway, staring at the flames. It was like.. a dance. Fire, it seemed alive. It always did for as long as he could remember. Unfortunately, he had not yet studied fire magic, though he could probably effect it or control it. But creating it from nothing? Very impressive, but he hadn't tried it. And Nimue wasn't really teaching him these days anyway. Maybe he could ask Willow or Tara. He was now staring blankly as though lost, absently dropping his burnt book to the floor. It was then that he turned, seeing Nimue and Amy. They seemed alarmed and frightened. And now his eyes once again glanced at the fire. He couldn't help but stare curiously at it, feel the heat from it.. Mordred was not afraid in the least. Just curious. And maybe confused as to the cause. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he was also angry that whoever did this had now destroyed the one place he had accepted as his home. They would suffer dearly for this. He would never forgive this. And never forget.

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hiddenwarlock
2012-01-16 03:13 pm UTC (link)

Merlin was at school finishing up on grading and a few meetings. He hated the late nights and wished he could just run home right after school. He was in the middle of marking up a particularly bad paper when it hit him. He could feel Nimue's fear and urgency. He didn't think twice, just shut his eyes and found himself beside Nimue in the middle of the bedroom full of flames.

It was so disorienting to arrive in such a state, he breathed in to cast a spell and found himself coughing on the smoke. He looked from Nimue over to Amy who was now in her arms and finally got out a word that killed the flames around them. It wouldn't save the house but they wouldn't get burned.

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toloveuncharmed
2012-01-16 05:05 pm UTC (link)

Nimue didn't know whether to be relieve or upset that Merlin was there. Nimue wasn't strong enough to put out all of the flames, especially since the hallway seemed to have it worse than the bedroom. Merlin could do more, but now he was in danger, too.

In the hallway, she saw Mordred. The boy she had taken in and tried to raise, despite Merlin's reservations. The boy she had failed. Why was he just standing there? Letting the fire grow all around him, not even trying to escape.. "Get out!" she yelled at him before descending in a fit of coughing. She wasn't sure he could hear her over the flames, or whatever trance he was in, but she tried again. "Get out."

And then she left him.

She turned for the door, blasting ice at it and blasting it off its hinges. She was still holding Amy tightly in her arms as she ran for the door, avoiding the flames as best she could.

Once outside, she fell to her knees, still holding Amy. She looked back at the door. She would never admit it, and was ashamed to even think it, but a small, dark part of her hoped that Mordred wouldn't come out. The affection she used to feel for him had decayed into fear, and she no longer felt safe in her own house. She was sure it was the boy that started the fire.

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the_druid_boy
2012-01-17 06:16 am UTC (link)

Nimue shout at him had immediately brought the Druid boy out of his trance. He couldn't have helped it, it was hard not to look at it. He knew it was destructive, dangerous. But he was also in awe od the power from it. An element that could bring warmth and improve life.. could also destroy. Ohh, oh, look how it just spreads over wood as if hungry! But he had quickly snapped out of his state, seeing her blast the door with ice power. He felt pleased at that, knowing he had been practicing with that element on his own. He didn't seem to be getting much instruction on it of late, so he'd opted for exploring it himself.

Mordred slowly made his way to the open doorway of the house that would lead outside. As he got close, he saw flamed once again licking at the wooden frame and floor, once more a wall of flame barring the path to freedom. OKAY. That did it, he wasn't so much in awe of it anymore, his annoyance beginning to change to calm anger. His eyes flashed as he mumbled under his breath, exercising his inner will. And then.. almost immediately, the door opening's fire seemed to separate, parting like a curtain, as he stepped through the opening. Once he was outside, the flames began to rise once more behind him. And now he just stood there. He didn't know, who had caused it? Or did anyone at all? It could have been an accident for all anyone knew. Then he looked up and saw Merlin there. Ohhh. Of course he was, he had been inside, but that hadn't registered until now since he was entranced at the time.

"Great, there goes my night of quiet reading." He now saw Amy.. and Nimue. But the look on her face. He could sense fear from her. A part of his mind was curious as to why she had not gone back to get him. Like he should by angered. But then his rational side said that maybe she knew he was strong enough in magics to handle it. He really didn't know what to think. But still. He saw that look, as though accusatory in a fear, mixed with dear as well. He blinked in confusion, a silent shrug type reaction on him. Why was she looking at him that way, he was confused by it. It was also the type of look that he suspected a child would get when they were in big trouble. Which baffled him, since he had done nothing tonight. The expression also felt very familiar as if he saw it before, but from whom, it had not yet registered with him. But at least they were all unharmed now. "...What? Is my cloak on fire?" He didn't feel it was. No, the flames had completely moved around him in there.

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hiddenwarlock
2012-01-17 09:11 pm UTC (link)

Merlin followed Nimue and Amy, catching a few flames that reached for them. He looked back when Nimue called for Mordred. He was about to go back to grab him when a bit of celing started to fall over Nimue. Merlin yelled out a few words and the debrie held in the air. Nimue blased through the door and collapsed outside. He looked back at Mordred, who still hadn't moved.

He had to help his wife. He ran outside to make sure she wasn't hurt, looking back to see if Mordred would make it out. He stared at Mordred as he came out the door. He seemed too incontrol. So calm. It wasn't right.

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toloveuncharmed
2012-01-18 02:29 am UTC (link)

Nimue stepped backward, holding Amy to her chest as she stumbled over her own feet trying to get away from Mordred. She was absolutely convinced now. Mordred's calm. The way the flames parted for him. This was all his fault. Mordred had started the fire, she knew it. He was jealous of Amy, she knew that. She knew the way he looked at her baby girl. She knew they weren't safe with him around. She'd confided in Merlin before that she didn't feel safe; she didn't want Mordred around her children. But she'd never known what to do about it.

"Get back," she cried out at Mordred, turning Amy's face away from him. "Stay away from us!"

If Merlin wanted to deal with the boy, fine, but she wasn't risking him being around her daughter. Not a moment longer.

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the_druid_boy
2012-01-18 10:35 am UTC (link)

Mordred's suspicions were even more on edge now. Emrys was looking at him funny. And Nimue looked afraid of him, very protective of Amy, and acting as if he were the enemy right now. The look in her eyes, her face and bodily reactions.. it was looking very accusatory. That was enough to give him feelings of both hurt and anger. But knowing that he didn't do this made him even more irate. And no one even asked if he did it! So he began to feel more unwelcomed and betrayed with each passing second that went by.

"But.. but I didn't do anything!", he yelled out, not moving a step toward her. "What the hell is wrong with you? I didn't do this. Were.. were you even going to go back for me? Or.. did you want me to die in there." He wondered moreso why she wasn't happy he had made it out without a burn on his skin. He had half expected an embrace or other comforting gesture. But he felt none. It was the opposite. And why did she look afraid, and holding Amy like that? He had heard so much of Nimue, so powerful, he thought she should be rising up and using great magic against him if she truly thought he was the little firebug. But no. He was unsettled by this, wondering why he wanted to learn from her in the first place. She was also a good parental figure, he would give her that. But not anymore, it seemed. "I'm telling you, it wasn't me. I lost everything I own in there! My gifts, my books. My clothes. And money. All gone."

It was then that he realized who she was reminding him of, which caused him to let out a light gasp. He glared at her with an cool, calm gaze, of a stone certainty. It felt exactly the way his fake parents looked at him before turning against him. Before they met their end. Or his father did, the mother was in a comatose amnesia state. He saw it exactly as the same. Nimue's look felt like the same as his parents. He wondered if she also wanted to do him harm like they did. "Oohhhh.... I see now, you are just like them."

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hiddenwarlock
2012-01-20 04:17 am UTC (link)

Merlin looked back at Nimue and to Mordred. He hadn't been there when the fire started. He hadn't seen what had happened. Had Nimue seen something to make her think it was Mordred? He stood in front of Amy and Nimue, looking more than a little lost. He would protect his family no matter what, but as much as he hadn't trusted Mordred he didn't want to hurt the boy.

By this time guards were coming up. "We've called the fire department and an ambulance; is everyone okay?"

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toloveuncharmed
2012-01-20 04:40 am UTC (link)

Nimue winced when she realized Mordred was talking about the 'parents' she had taken him from. Comparing her to them. She hadn't wanted to be like that. She'd wanted to give him another chance. She'd wanted to help him learn to be a productive member of this society. But she hadn't. She'd failed him. She couldn't deny it.

Part of her wanted to do better by him, but part of her knew she couldn't. Maybe he hadn't set this fire, but there was no guarantee he wouldn't set the next one. She couldn't trust him. Even if she had proof Mordred had nothing to do with this fire, she wouldn't be able to trust him. Nimue hadn't trusted Mordred for months.

She felt guilty, but he was right. She wasn't going to go back for him. It was terrible of her, but she couldn't love the boy. She couldn't even do right by him. She had no answer for him.

Nimue was surprised the guards hadn't tried to put out the fire on their own, despite lack of training or equipment. Normally she found their bravado obnoxious, but she was grateful for them now.

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the_druid_boy
2012-01-20 12:20 pm UTC (link)

Mordred backed up a bit quickly when he saw the guards, a bit on edge from seeing them. "Fine, it's fine," he said quickly. He didn't like being in front of too many adults. Especially since almost any in an authority position kind of reminded him of the Camelot knights. But it was the silence from Nimue that made everything clear. He now believed that perhaps he never was a part of the family. He might have been a little bit, but not anymore. He started to back up farther. While he liked being around them before, now he wanted to be very apart from them and everyone else. "Oh. I get it. So, I must have set it because no one else did. I wish I could say this was a surprise. Really, I should be used to betrayal by now. But I do know I'm not the only one who's ever done something bad. Of course, that's a big secret, yeah?" He was of course hinting at what Nimue had done to the false father in order to save him.

He turned his back and started walking. He just wanted to get away. What did she intend to do with him if this didn't happen? Were they going to send him away? It looked very much like that even if he didn't make the fire, he was still judged. He forced himself to remain calm, even though everything in him shouted, wanted to cry, yell, even break something. But he didn't. He was like steel. He looked back after taking a few deep breaths. "Very well, I will do as you ask. I'll stay away from all of you. I don't need you anymore, anyway. None of you will ever see me again, so don't look. Don't follow. As far as you're concerned.. I am just as dead to you as my real father was back in Camelot. I'm sure Emrys and Arthur can tell you all about that." He looked at Merlin, as he would hopefully remember exactly what that meant. How they first met, how he was rescued, while Mordred's Druid father was executed by Uther's headsman. Mordred still remembered that. He had felt it when it happened, a severing of the bond between father and son, student and teacher.

And now he turned and continued walking, a normal walk, then his pace quickened. And then he had broken into a run, his green cloak flowing in the night air, as he kept running as far from them as he could go. He had no idea where he would go for tonight and onward, but it would be anywhere that they weren't. Maybe he could pick a random portkey destination and see where he ended up. His feelings on all of that were silent, impulses and instincts in high gear. He supposed he could cry or yell, or blast some pottery pretending it was them, once he found somewhere private. But one thing he knew for certain was that he wouldn't openly trust anyone so quickly after this. And of course keep a close eye on whatever arson investigations for the house, just to prove himself innocent for this one instance.

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hiddenwarlock
2012-01-22 05:26 am UTC (link)

Merlin looked uncertain for a moment, almost wanting to stop him. But he kept remembering the dragon's warning, the thing that never let him fully trust the boy.

The guards were trying to move everyone further from the building while asking if anyone else was inside. Merlin tried to shoo them off, and finally just turned back to his wife and daughter, trying to make sure they were okay.

The firefighters and ambulance were crowding in next, swooping in to save the day.

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toloveuncharmed
2012-01-22 05:48 am UTC (link)

Nimue shrank back a bit when Mordred mentioned her secret. She'd thought she was protecting Mordred at the time, in not telling Merlin. She hadn't wanted to worry Merlin any more than he was. She'd wanted Merlin to think Mordred was a normal boy, not capable of such darkness. But there had been a selfish motive, too. She'd been afraid for Merlin to see her own darker side.

Even as she was ashamed and worried of what Merlin would think, she was angry that Mordred would dare bring something like that up in front of Amy. She would rather Merlin think poorly of her than her young daughter. Amy's innocence was something Nimue would protect fiercely.

Between the conflicting emotions and all of the commotion, Nimue felt a bit faint. She didn't argue with the rescue workers when they told her they needed to take her to the hospital.

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