[ ic; contact ]

[pratentious]

[This time, the recording starts with a long, drawn out sigh. Then, surprisingly, it's still Merlin's voice that rattles off the voicemail in tones of long-suffering.]

Hello, you've reached King Arthur Pr--Pendragon. He isn't here to answer your call because he's incredibly important and busy. If you leave a message here with me, I'll make sure he gets it because I am a good servant--and friend-- [he adds the last bit in a rush, accompanied with a thwap!, an 'ow!' and an 'I heard that,' then forces the rest of the words out through gritted teeth] and will do anything my master asks of me.

[A couple seconds pass, then Merlin speaks again, this time sounding a bit further away, like he isn't speaking into the bracelet anymore.] There, happy now? If you ask me, the other one is still better-- Shut up, Merlin. It's time to do yours next. Wait, what --

[ click! ]

Comments

[ video ]

[magatama_no_amaterasu]

Most people can't access their ki to the level I can, but the training for it will help them know themselves and their limits very well.

[ video ]

[pratentious]

[ Arthur nods his head in agreement. ]

Very well. I should speak with Kirkland and he'll be with you shortly.

[ ooc; since this was like, a million years ago ICly and both me and Dessi are on hiatus atm, would you be okay with them just handwaving the interview and hiring her on? :o ]

[ video ]

[magatama_no_amaterasu]

I look forward to speaking with him. Thank you.

[ooc: works for me. Thanks!]

[Video Message] (somehow labeled as URGENT)

[dragonspeak]

Arthur, I think you should check the bracelet. Your father...

[Opens his mouth hesitantly, not exactly sure how he should word this.]

Your father's looking for a job.

[You, of all people, should understand why Merlin's looking so pale.]

[ not here || 1/? ]

[pratentious]

[ GDI what the Hell is happening now - ]

[pratentious]

[ his father is - ]

[pratentious]

[ his father is - ]

[pratentious]

[pratentious]

[ video || 6/8 ]

[pratentious]

[ he turns on the feed slowly, opens his mouth to speak -



- shuts it for a lack of words - ]

[ video || 7/8 ]

[pratentious]

[ - purses his lips - ]

[ video || 8/8 done lmflsakdjflk I'm so sorry ]

[pratentious]

[ - then exhales shortly, brows furrowed. ]

I'm ... confused.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[Don't strain yourself, dear.]

Can't help you there. You're the one who's been living with him for twenty something years. If you don't know what's going on, what makes you think I have any idea?

[Video]

[pratentious]

[ wow Merlin could you please suck less ]

I've lived with him all my life and I've never once seen him search for employment. What am I supposed to do, offer my congratulations?

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[He's just as confused as you are, leave him alone.]

You could be...encouraging? Errr it's a good thing that he's looking, right? Means he's. Willing to fit in.

[All of that said with a dubious expression.]

[Video || 1/2]

[pratentious]

Willing to fit in.

[ repeated half derisively - half experimentally, as though he's trying to get a feel for the words. ]

[Video || 2/2]

[pratentious]

[ but then he just frowns. ]

Perhaps he's taken ill.

[ or gone mad. possibly gone mad. maybe even both oh gods ]

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

He doesn't sound ill.

Maybe he's...actually trying. [He's not getting his hopes up, because it's Uther, but Merlin wishes it's true for Arthur and Morgana's sake.

Merlin pauses.]

Do you think it's...because of that...talk?

[Video]

[pratentious]

[ Arthur sobers quickly, sitting up a little with a deep inhale. He won't quite meet Merlin's eyes. ]

That would likely be the most logical explanation.

[ He considers it a second longer, then scrubs a hand over his face. ]

I should speak with him.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[Merlin winces, looking away as well.]

I've made things complicated for you.

[There's no apology forthcoming, though. He's sorry that Arthur has to deal with the fallout. He's not sorry that Arthur knows the truth.]

[Video]

[pratentious]

[ He's quiet a moment, then huffs in false irritation. ]

That much goes without saying, certainly, but my life was fairly complicated long before you prodded your way into it.

[ Before he was born, even! He makes a dismissive handwave. ]

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[His mouth quirks into a small smile at the phrasing.]

Prodded my way in?

[More like crashed into it, Merlin thinks with some amusement. Though that street goes both ways. Arthur wasn't the only one who drastically changed because of their meeting.]

[Video]

[pratentious]

Mm, quite. Any half-decent manservant would've kept their head down and gone about their own business. But you?

[ His eyes narrow with very clear amusement. ]

I should only be so lucky.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

Maybe it's because I wasn't your servant then. The fault was entirely yours.

[Merlin shakes his head at the memory. They'd been at each other other throats then, hadn't they? Getting thrown in the dungeons, starting a duel...]

I mean, really, Arthur. "Practice my knee-walking"?

[Video]

[pratentious]

[ He snorts and rolls his eyes. ]

Yes, Merlin. And all these years later, you've still yet to learn how to defer to your superiors. I let you get off far too easily.