Who: Merlin and Elphaba What: Meeting up Where: The Guild When: April Rating: Low Status: Complete
Elphaba had decided to make a trip down to the magic guild to do some research. She hadn’t been here for a while and she figured it was a better use of her time than worrying over whether she would keep down what little of breakfast she’d managed to force herself to eat. Heading down to the library, she started walking down one of the aisles, perusing the spines of books, seeing if there were any that may help her.
Since Audrey and Merlin had gotten pregnant again Merlin had wanted to check on anything about children and how or if they would inherit their parents magical abilities. Ben had shown no signs so far and in his own dreams Merlin had been doing magic practically since birth, Audrey’s magical system was a little different though so he wasn’t sure if that was why or if maybe their children wouldn’t inherit magic. So he was currently sat at one of the tables down an aisle searching through books.
Elphaba picked a few books from the shelves that were of interest to her and moved to the table in the aisle. Sitting opposite the man who was already sat there, she cast him a little smile when their eyes caught and settled down. She happened to catch the title of one of the books and realised he was researching similar things to her. She felt compelled to start talking to him but wasn't sure how to start a conversation over such an odd subject. She cleared her throat and smiled, “Hi.”
Merlin looked up and smiled, “Hi” he said holding out his hand, “Sorry I didn’t notice you were here. I got too drawn into the book” he apologised so she didn’t think he was rude. “I’m Merlin, pleased to meet you”
“Oh, that’s ok,” Elphaba smiled in return and settled more into her seat. “You seemed to be engrossed in your work,” she referred to the book in front of him. “I’m Elphaba,” she shook his hand in return. “What are you looking into then?” she asked, trying to be more outgoing.
“Magical children” he said with a wry smile, “I’m seeing if there is any indication about children inheriting magical abilities from their parents. I have a son with another baby on the way and it’s playing on my mind more lately”
“Oh? Why’s that? Has your son shown some magickal inclination?” Elphaba asked. Truthfully, her mind was whirling with many, many more questions, but figured it was rude to launch into a barrage of questions when you’ve literally just introduced yourself.
“Not yet but it just seems unlikely that he won’t given the abilities my wife and I have” Merlin said, “But there doesn’t seem to be one single answer” Not that he had expected there to be but he had hoped.
“You both have magic too? Do you have...specialties as it were?” Elphaba asked, smiling a bit as she said the last part. It sounded odd saying it, like ordering the chef’s special at a restaurant. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes briefly, Elphaba pushed aside the thought of food, feeling nauseated at the idea.
“We do. In her dreams my wife went to a magic school and does a lot of wand magic and me, well I’m Merlin, a in Merlin from legends so my specialty is kind of everything” he said with a little chuckled before looking concerned, “Are you alright?”
Elphaba gave a ghost of a smile and leaned forward so her elbows were on the table to stabilise her body. “Thanks, it’ll pass, I hope,” she told him tiredly. “I’ve got one of my own on the way who seems to object to me even thinking about food,” she gave a frustrated sigh and opened her eyes to look up at him again. “So Merlin, huh? I didn’t want to presume, yknow? But that is pretty cool,” she smiled again.
Merlin still looked at her in concern, but nodded. “My wife was the same for a little while, I hope it passes quickly for you” he said. “Thanks, it’s strange knowing I have all this power especially when I’m sat at my computer station at work but that’s also what I like about it. That I can have this life with a family and a normal job”
Elphaba nodded and smiled. “I wish this would stop for me. I think I’m possibly the only woman alive who’s longed for the fabled weird cravings part of pregnancy to start,” she joked, although the truth of the statement was plain to see. “What’s your day job then?” she asked, trying to distract herself.
“Have you spoken to your doctor at all?” Merlin asked her, “There might be something they can do to help” Because she did look pale and not eating wasn’t a good thing for pregnant women. “I’m the Head of IT at Stark Industries, the general turn it off and on again IT not the super smart stuff” he clarified.
Elphaba laughed at his explanation of his job. “At my last check-up. My nurse told me to come back if I had any other issues or they got worse but I wanted to check and see if there was anything here about magic in the bloodline possibly exacerbating symptoms of pregnancy. Don’t suppose that’s something you’ve heard of?” she asked hopefully.
Merlin shook his head, “I’m afraid not. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a possibility. I can help you look” After all this was more urgent than his own research. “And if we don’t find anything then I insist you speak to your nurse again”
Elphaba smiled at Merlin in appreciation. “Thank you, I would appreciate that,” she told him gratefully. She took a deep breath to steady herself before opening the book in front of her. “And I promise, if we don’t find anything I will go and see her,” she reassured him with a smile.
“Thank you. I know how stubborn pregnant women can be so I appreciate your agreement” he told her with a smile, exchanging a look with her before he opened another book.