broceliande | OPEN POST.

[Avalon is a very, very strange place. No matter how much time Bedivere stays here, that's how he feels--the awe never really goes away, but neither too does that slight feeling of wrongness.

He doesn't belong here.

Still, here is where he is, with one other person ("person"...?), so he's not really in a position to brood too long or too hard before Merlin never really fails to show up, usually with odd or inane tasks for him to do.

Inevitably, this time Merlin's going to show up too, right? Even though Bedivere just kind of wants to Brood in Peace.]

[ This place is one that Merlin is fairly sure that no one else will ever step foot into. At least, not anymore. In the Age of Gods, coming to Avalon would have been child's play for a remotely competent magus, but even by the time of his own life, that kind of magic had all but faded. The faeries were happy to have their realms to themselves, and Avalon especially was deep within even that. Relatively speaking, at least. Things like distance and even time were much trickier to pinpoint here. It was the eternal utopia, so Merlin could stay in his tower contentedly and look upon the world.

...Though having a little company wasn't all that bad. In fact, it was quite handy, considering what Merlin could "see" of the world.

The "tower" was not so restrictive as Vivian may have intended. He could never truly escape, and that was well enough, but extending himself beyond those walls was still simple. It's more like a dream given some form, but that's a simple thing for even a half-incubus.

So, as always, Merlin's entrance isn't subtle. He's not exactly known for it. The magical energy in the air increases as pink flowers float not from the dreamy trees above, but up from the ground as soft footsteps barely disturb the grass.

All in all, it's absolutely meant to interrupt the brooding session. ]

Hello, Bedivere. [ His voice is cheerful, as always, and he seems to be ignorant of or ignoring Bedivere's mood. It's not always easy to tell. ]

[Brooding session: ruined.

Of course, Merlin is not at all subtle, and Bedivere can't possibly ignore him (can't really try, either, because that would be rude, even if he's tempted occasionally).

He lifts his head as pink flowers drift into his hair, tilting his head.

His response is only mildly wary.]

Good day. [IS IT... IS IT A GOOD DAY, BEDIVERE.

(It's never a good day to be Bedivere.)]

Is something the matter?

[He really can't believe Merlin showed up just to chat with him, after all. Unless it's to dump more vague warnings and prophecies on him. That happens.]

[ Why would you ever think that!! How rude Bedivere.

Merlin’s first response is a laugh, the sort of gentle kind that you interpret wildly differently depending on how long you’ve known him. For someone unacquainted, it’s pleasant, charming, and light. But when you know the wizard better, well... You also know he’s not really any of those things. It’s amusement more than any genuine humor. ]

Well— [ He starts, but then leans down to lift one of those floating flowers from the back of Bedivere’s hair. It’ll dissipate in its own eventually, sure, but. Not for a while. ]

I had a thought, actually! [ hm bad ] Have you ever had Avalon’s apples? I was thinking it might be a good idea to collect a bushel or two.

[ It sounds suspiciously benign as well as... whimsical, even for Merlin. His whimsy tended to be more in the vein of women over apples, so it’s not hard to guess that he has some other purpose in wanting them.

Though it’s at least (?) not for his own sake. There’s someone that needs these apples that look like precious metals, since the mana they contain is enough to revitalize an amateur magus instantly.

Plus, it’s almost summer, so the plight of a certain master to see cute girls in swimsuits is one he can sympathize with. ]

Edited 2019-04-17 09:07 (UTC)

[Oh god. Merlin had a thought, and that's when things tend to get cagey. And surely enough, true to form...

... Apples...?

Bedivere straightens on automatic when Merlin plucks the flower petal from his hair (begone, thot--!!), frowning a little, more contemplatively than anything.]

Apples...? [???] I don't think I have... [UH.]

Is that truly the best use of time here? [APPLE COLLECTING...]

Hah! Probably not.

[ At least?? He's honest??? ]

But I think they'll help someone out! That magus would probably be fine without them, but who knows? It's up to them when they eat them or not. Though I hope sooner...

[ The last part is murmured largely to himself, but he's not specifically trying to hide it from Bedivere. He does tap at Bedivere's feet lightly with the end of his staff, as if telling him to move along and get going. ]

I'll show you the way. I just can't collect them myself.

[At least he's... honest...

Bedivere knows that he owes Merlin so, so much for his. Uh. Assistance throughout all of this. But even so, Merlin is so... so Merlin.

Which is why he's not actually surprised that he's getting dragged into helping. Why else would Merlin be here?

He...clears his throat, nodding slowly. He still isn't in a position to argue.]

Very well then. [He supposes. If he must.] Collecting apples does not sound too difficult. [QUESTION MARK?]

Well, if it is, that's why I'm coming with you! Avalon may be a utopia, but it's still in the domain of the Faeries, you know.

[ wow that sure is ominous? But Merlin laughs like it's nothing to worry about in the slightest. ]

Plus, it'll be fun! You need to stretch your legs more. You don't want to lose one of them too, right? [ He just laughs cheerfully again, like he's made a joke. Merlin's sense of humor sucks. ]

[:grimacing:

But no, Bedivere's expression remains relatively solemn and calm, even if internally he's definitely :grimacing:]

... Do you intend to imply that the tales we've known of the Faeries are true?

Oh, sure! Most of them, at least. Ha ha, did I not mention that before...?

[ Probably not, but also, he genuinely doesn't remember. It's the sort of thing that he doesn't find all that important, so he doesn't remember who he'd mentioned it to or not. Though... That might also be why he ended up trapped in a tower, maybe? Hm. ]

But yeah, they just tend to not bother with humans much anymore. Since the Age of Gods ended, it's a bit harder for them to go between worlds, so they'd rather just stay here, in short. They don't really need humanity, so I can kind of understand it!

[ Welcoming a new Servant to Chaldea isn't technically necessary, not when Mash and the Master tend to accomplish that much immediately-- but Jeanne is still a simple country girl at heart, and certain manners had never really left her. Namely, "no matter what you own, or who your guest is, be hospitable", according to her mother.

So when news of a Caster had reached her ears, Jeanne had set forth to greet him.

Until the rumors had caught up. A flirt. A pervert. Shameless. It admittedly slows her steps, until she's merely standing there, one palm pressed flat to the wall, muttering quietly to herself. ]

No... I refuse to make judgments so early...

[ Ahhh, what a wonderful thing it is to be here in Chaldea! Or at the very least, he finds it vastly more interesting than his tower. It's not all bad, or at least not as bad as Vivian was probably hoping. She did quite well to trick him into Avalon, but still, he was one of the most powerful magi of all time. Even if he couldn't explicitly break the rules, he could always toy with their loopholes.

Hence, finally being summoned by the last Master of humanity. He may not be a proper Servant himself, certainly not when compared to others here, but, well. Loopholes!

He's just finished up the standard entry process where Da Vinci essentially records everything there is to know about his Spirit Origin for Master to reference, which means the day is his now. As far as he knows, Ritsuka isn't planning on heading to a Singularity today. He thinks that he'll use the opportunity to meet some of the interesting Servants that made it here before him, though as he steps outside, his plan for the day is put into action much quicker than he expects. ]

Oh...?

[ From first impressions, those rumors might seem to be off base. He's handsome, elegant even, and has quite the presence. It's not the kind that comes from the various Saints like herself, but still full of magical energy. Of course, the delicate pink flowers that seem to surround him, floating up from his feet, help with that impression. ]

Well, hello there! Did you come to see lil' ol' me?

[ die merlin ]

[ He's... strangely ethereal. To Jeanne, who can't ever view herself the way others seem to view Saints, he's even more impressive. That eloquence. Those flowers delicately sprouting at his feet and floating through the air, the way his long hair flutters just as elegantly--

Then he speaks, and Jeanne drops her hand off the wall, tosses her braid over her shoulder, and clears her throat to assume a more formal appearance and manner. ]

I'd intended to come greet you, yes. My name is Jeanne D'arc-- it's a pleasure to meet you, Merlin.

[ He knows who she is, naturally, but his particular talents make it hard for Servants to conceal their true identities from him. But still! He much prefers when they introduce themselves first. It makes it less awkward in case they're the private sort that doesn't want their identities so known... He imagines he'll have a habit of letting that slip for lack of caring, after all! ]

Well, thank you! To be welcomed by La Pucelle herself is quite the honor.

[ Which is definitely a hint that he might have already known, but! He does seem genuinely pleased, and even dips into a gentlemanly bow, though it's brief. The gesture is one more of manners that he knows to practice rather than a genuine politeness. Or perhaps it's a pretense, since he adds on once he straightens: ]

My, and you're quite the beauty! It makes it all the more a wonderful welcome.

[ So he'd already known, or suspected. She hadn't even carried the banner, for multiple reasons, but this doesn't really trouble Jeanne. ]

Please, I'm not--

[ That bashful smile freezes on her face as he continues, even as Jeanne valiantly tries to shove that reaction down. It's fine. Lancelot, Gawain, Tristan-- all of them were very courtly in their... expressed attraction to many of the female Servants. It could very well be a product of their time. Perhaps it's just a simple greeting.

Be strong, Jeanne. ]

... Have you had time to acquaint yourself with the facility?

[ NICE AVOIDANCE. ]

[ What a cute reaction. ♡, he thinks, heart emoji and all.

He can already tell that he's definitely going to love Chaldea! It's full of so many cute women that he'll love teasing, and just as many... Rougher ones that he can imagine he'll gladly take beatings from. At least being a Servant of Chaldea, they can't be serious enough to kill him! ]

Nope, not at all! Miss Da Vinci is quite through in recording aspects of Servants! I'd expect no less, but I wonder if she was a bit moreso for me...

[ It's not every day you get a Grand Caster here, after all. Or hardly ever, since the people even eligible to hold the title number in the single digits. ]

Would it be too much trouble for me to ask for a grand tour...?

[ It's very likely a good thing that Jeanne can't actually read minds, or she might have just decided to vacate and leave his tour to someone else. Like Blackbeard. Or Emiya.

Alas, she remains, head tilted only slightly as her shoulders slowly relax. It's still harmless, isn't it. ]

It's no trouble at all. I'll try not to take too much of your time-- after so much time spent getting your Saint Graph recorded, you may wish to rest.

[ Even though Servants don't feel exhaustion. ]

[ Merlin shakes his head with a laugh ]

Oh, not at all! After spending so much time in a bit of a magical prison, I'm pretty eager to stretch my legs!

[ "A bit of," he says, like it isn't something that was absolutely meant to be permanent and imprison him for all time... All things considered, he'd say she did pretty well, though! ]

We can take a leisurely tour together. I'm sure I won't get tired at all.

[ That's a massive understatement, she's pretty certain... but he's taken it rather well. All the same, Jeanne doesn't want to make him dwell on such an uncomfortable topic, so she simply nods with a warmer smile. ]

Don't push yourself, but in that case... I'll be sure to set a leisurely pace.

[ Merlin makes a cheerful, thoughtful little sound in response first. He does seem to be in quite good spirits, really. It varied from Servant to Servant how they took arriving in Chaldea, but it tended to be the more... simple spirits that took it with outright cheer, such as a certain cat-like Berserker. It does make his claim that he's just excited to be out of his tower sound sincere, but still. He's probably not what people imagine when they think of the famous wizard of Britain. ]

Then I'm yours for the rest of the afternoon! ♥

[ ...Though he knows his reputation, and so his love of women is disguised behind manners rather than being overt like Blackbeard. But he's glad that his tour is coming from a beauty he has no shame in casually flirting with. ]

But lead the way! Or, actually— Let's go to the place you think is most interesting first. That's a good place to start, right?

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