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[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

[pratentious]

With hardened patience and fifteen years' experience with Morgana. Now, to what do I owe the honour of your harassment?

[pratentious]

[ His breath halts a little, mind wandering to his sister exactly as intended. He thinks of their childhood, wildly out of control and fighting good-naturedly just to best each other at every turn. Of their later years, when duty took its place to harden him and she wore him down like stone on steel to remind him of his humanity. Of here, in Asgard, where they are closer than ever by mercy of a second chance and a forgiveness that aches in Arthur's chest when he thinks on it for too long.

He thinks of the cruelty in her voice and the daggers in her eyes when she took their father's crown and sat upon his throne.

And then there's Merlin. Merlin, who is overly eager, painfully honest, too willing to sacrifice himself for - for what, Arthur couldn't say. He is not a soldier, has not been shaped for war and battle, but sometimes Arthur has to wonder if he isn't the stronger between them. His eyes linger on Merlin's face, pointedly everywhere but his eyes before he can bring himself to see the sincerity there, and then Arthur sighs light-heartedly and gets to his feet. ]

One of these days, I will understand what goes on in that head of yours.

[ He brushes the grass from his backside and grabs another smooth stone, skipping it properly and managing five bounces before it sinks on the sixth. Arms folded across his chest as he watches the ripples pan out and vanish, Arthur swallows against something unpleasant building in his throat. He keeps his back to Merlin when he speaks again. ]

I'm sorry. For teasing you. It was not my place.

[minifridge]

I saw your face in a cloud.

[auditor]

[ more like employees... but the brothel isn't running yet, and claudia doesn't collect on their earnings. ]

They are. I insisted they speak. [ she waves her free hand. ] But I can't get some of them to stop, now.

[pratentious]

... Right. If you've had quite enough of that, then -

[ He'll just be on his way. ]

[minifridge]

You're avoiding us.

[Dropping the act, then. fine.]

[pratentious]

I'm not - avoiding anyone.

[Video] o hai

[dragonspeak]

[SUDDENLY, YOU ARE GETTING A CALL FROM MERLIN'S BRACELET. SURPRISE???

But when the feed turns on, all you can hear is the (distant) sound of the shower running somewhere close by. And then...]

Hroo.

[There's a pair of owl eyes pressed up to the screen, side-ways even, until Archimedes backs away.

Judgmental stare is now go.]

[Video - 1/?] o-oh. hai?

[pratentious]

[ There's an initial sort of shock - Merlin is calling? But after the other day - ]

[Video - 2/?]

[pratentious]

[Video - 3/?]

[pratentious]

[Video - 4/5]

[pratentious]

[Video - 5/5]

[pratentious]

Archimedes.

[Video] :D

[dragonspeak]

[Oh, it's you. Archimedes fluffs himself up importantly and...

...promptly begins preening. While ignoring Arthur.


'sup, Once and Future King?]

[Video] this is beautiful

[pratentious]

[ 'sup ... bird. Arthur sighs. ]

Leave it to that idiot -

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[Archimedes pecks curiously at the bracelet again.]

Hroo? [translation: Why have you not been around?]

[Video]

[pratentious]

[ Too bad Arthur doesn't speak owlish. He narrows his eyes. ]

If you've shat on my desk, I'm turning you into a centerpiece for the table.

[ His desk, all right? Even if he's not there. ]

[pratentious]

[ He laughs lightly. ]

Ah, brilliant. Four years dealing with one, what's another half dozen?

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[What's that? Make yourself right at home? How kind of you.

Now that Archimedes isn't taking up the whole screen, Arthur should be able to notice that he's perched on a pillow. On Arthur's side of the room. Archimedes tucks his wings back in, burrowing happily into Arthur's pillow his new nest.]

Hoo hoo.

[Video - 1/4]

[pratentious]

Wh - is that my - hey!

[ He reaches out as though to swat him away but - right. Device. He's not actually ... there. Grumble grumble. ]

All right, fine, yes. You can have it.

[Video - 2/4]

[pratentious]

It's not like I'll be needing it anymore.

[Video - 3/4]

[pratentious]

[Video - 4/4]

[pratentious]

[ He sighs and scrubs a hand over his face. ]

I've spent too much time around that imbecile. I'm talking to a damn owl.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[Archimedes cranes his neck with another soft hoot. Why did you stop screeching?

Another, curious peck at the bracelet, like he's trying to get at the hand Arthur had swatted at the screen with.]

[Video - 1/2]

[pratentious]

[ Arthur blinks up at him, then laughs another sigh. ]

All right. I suppose you aren't too terrible. When I haven't got to stay in the same room as you.