[ 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

action;

[gwenhwyfar]

[Regina almost laughs. It sounds so stupid, but it's crucial to her well being. It's why she shakes.]

Do you have food? Or a place to bathe, perhaps?

[She would ask for more bandages, but that feels like a bit much.]

action;

[pratentious]

[ - oh. Arthur exhales softly, visibly sagging with relief. He wasn't sure what to expect, not with the sudden urgency and the bloody state of her, but this? He smiles gently. ]

Of course. Come, we can see to everything you need at the house.

[ And he'll offer his hand to her, to escort her back - a guest, a friend. Someone to be looked after. ]

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[gwenhwyfar]

[Regina holds out a hand, finally looking at him.]

Don't. It's wise for you to maintain a distance from me. I don't trust myself right now.

[She snaps her head to the side as soon as the thoughts start circulating, biting her bottom lip, hard.]

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[pratentious]

[ The fingers of his hand curl loosely as it returns to his side. ]

I've told you before. I do not fear you.

[ As though to prove his point, he takes another step closer, though he won't raise his hand again if it please her. He nods his head in the direction he came from. ]

Come.

action;

[gwenhwyfar]

]If he takes a step forward, Regina takes a step back. A shudder of a sigh goes through her body.]

Go ahead. I'll follow you.

action;

[pratentious]

[ He sighs a little. Very well, then. He'll lead the way back to their house, but he won't walk very far from her. ]

Your friend, is she all right?

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[gwenhwyfar]

[Regina has to drop her head when she's walking, almost as if she's ashamed of herself. But in truth, she's not, she doesn't regret what she did. At the moment, she doesn't trust herself. Which is why a long silence falls.]

Well, she didn't take any innocent lives, I suppose she is.

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[pratentious]

[ Her silence is cause enough for him to glance back at her and see that resignation. There is much still she has not told him, but - perhaps in time, she might. Good faith. ]

We should be glad for that much, then. [ Without formal written law here, how would one even persecute such foul action? ] Is she oft tempted towards murder or can we rest assured this was a rare and singular occurrence?

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[gwenhwyfar]

I'd rather you not involve yourself if she loses control in herself again, Arthur. Or your servant.

[She will continue to keep a heavy distance from him, even as her eyes flicker something otherworldly. Some days it's hard to fight it off during days like this. She chokes, pulling her head back as she stops to snap out of it.]

She's just as likely to do it as much as I am. But that's an assumption.

action;

[pratentious]

[ He keeps watching her closely, eyes only flickering away to ensure he's not about to walk into someone, and even then, he's reluctant to do so. ]

If there are lives being put at risk, Regina, you know I can't promise such a thing.

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[gwenhwyfar]

What is with you and blindly risking your life?

[Now Regina is starting to get angry. She stops, just in case, just to check herself.]

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[pratentious]

[ He stops a step after her and turns to face her, brows furrowed. They've had similar conversations before. He doesn't know how to make her understand, so he gives her the most simple, honest answer possible. ]

It's my duty.

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[gwenhwyfar]

[Breath. She must breathe. She just needs to calm her nerves. She scoffs, taking her hands to her face, slowly inhaling and exhaling. It may take a moment or two to calm herself. The last thing she wants to do is hurt him.]

action;

[pratentious]

[ - oh. He hadn't quite expected such a visceral reaction; he's not sure how to respond. He's been warned to keep his distance, so he will begrudge her that, but he waits patiently for her all the same.

After some time, though, he will try out of concern - ]

Regina?

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[gwenhwyfar]

[When she finally collects herself, she glances back up to him, her eye peaking behind the fingers of her hand.]

I'm fine.

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[pratentious]

[ He observes her quietly a moment, then nods his head. ]

If you're certain.

[ He'll angle his body to go again, though he waits for her confirmation that she's ready to leave first. ]

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[gwenhwyfar]

Go.

[It's an order, not a request from Regina, who starts to take small strides. Just about the only thing she can do now is pull her head back to the sky and pray nothing happens.]

action;

[pratentious]

[ Arthur gives a small, quiet huff - still not one to take orders, but he's not here to play Prince. He's just trying to take care of Regina. He continues walking in silence, not wanting to risk setting her off once more. ]