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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

[ video ]

[pratentious]

[ He is just ... flaily and trying to reign in his irritation. Also tired. Does he look tired? He's pretty tired. ]

You are ... incorrigible.

[minifridge]

I know. How do you deal with me?

[pratentious]

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

[minifridge]

I saw your face in a cloud.

[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.

[minifridge]

Not even me? I had to annoy you into picking up your phone.

[pratentious]

A phone? Is that what this is called?

[ He's not even stalling. He's actually astounded. Medieval win! ]

[minifridge]

-No, it's a bracelet with a thing on it, but back home we call each other on phones. Old habit.

Don't you change the subject.

[pratentious]

[ But ... but now he's trying to figure out what a phone is. You can't introduce a foreign concept and then not explain! Dammit, Mary! ]

It's - [ He huffs, thrown off his game by curiosity. ] - if you'd anything of import to hail me for, I'd have answered.

[minifridge]

Wha- [so. insulted.] -wanting to know if you're okay isn't important?

[pratentious]

Have I given you reason to question my health? I've not caught sick in ages, and we've not had any battles recently.

[minifridge]

You're living in a different welcome hall.

[She's worried. :c ]

[pratentious]

Actually, no, I - my father was assigned a different Hall, so I couldn't - it was -

[ Yeah, he kinda. Pushed himself to remain where he is physically unable to be. He coughs. ]

I've found us other lodgings.

[minifridge]

You-

[a sudden pang of almost childish indignation. Shock, completely without surprise.]

You're not coming back, are you?

[pratentious]

[ wow okay sucker punch to the gut much. His face completely drops, no walls to hide the conflict and devastation because God help him, he's just so fucking tired. ]

He's my father.

[minifridge]

[She feels bad about adding to his load, she truly does, but...]

Arthur...

[God, there isn't a hug big enough for his life right now. If only.]

Are... are you sure you're doing him any favors by helping him isolate himself?

[pratentious]

[ He's not raising his eyes to meet her again, and when he speaks, he speaks very carefully. ]

I am not separating Asgard from him. I am separating him from Asgard.

[ This is the only way he knows to protect Morgana and Merlin and Guinevere. If he isn't around to see them and the things they do and the people they associate with, he can't hurt them. He can't use it against them. The only one under his scrutiny now is him and that's ... that's better. That's much better. ]

[minifridge]

[Something cold drops in her stomach like a stone.]

Arthur, there's nothing to be scared of.

What about you? You can't separate yourself. It's not healthy.

[pratentious]

[ 'No,' he wants to say, 'No, you're wrong. There's plenty to fear.' But such would be slandering the King's name, and he'd sooner cut out his own tongue. As it is, he just shrugs and nods his head to the side a bit. ]

As I said. I've not caught ill in ages.

[minifridge]

I meant mentally healthy.

[pratentious]

[ He just scoffs and waves his hand dismissively. Not important. ]

[minifridge]

Arthur!

[pratentious]

Mary.

[ what. ]