Third Floor Common Room, Saturday Morning

[bitch_prince]

Seven days of imprisonment on the island, and the oddness had started to fade, not to blankness, but to some strange background patchwork of dangerous madness. Arthur found that he was starting to get bored along with his unceasing concern, and that was downright intolerable

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[decoder_rings]

"There's no brooding allowed in this room," Hannibal said after appearing in the doorway.

[bitch_prince]

"You have my word," Arthur said, "That if I felt even the slightest inclination to brood, I'd find a window or a dank, rat-infested corner." He barely looked up, but the glimpse was enough to get the quickest impression, and the beginnings of a size-up.

[decoder_rings]

"Rat infested?" Hannibal made a face. "You're a brave guy, ain't you? Unless you're friends with the rats. Rat whisperer?"

[bitch_prince]

"Hardly," Arthur spoke, sitting back now that he was certain that this one wasn't a threat. "And so far, the castle seems to be considerably rat-free."

[decoder_rings]

"I'd consider that a win," he said, wandering inside. "No one wants to be asleep and have a freaking rat's tail against their leg. Talk about a rude awakening."

[bitch_prince]

"You're telling me," Arthur muttered, "Not to mention all the holes in your clothing." His poor boots. He still mourned them.

[decoder_rings]

"I've managed to avoid those," he said thankfully. "Guessing you're a new kid, aren't you? That, or I've just missed you. Which is just a shame."

[bitch_prince]

"Yes," Arthur said, with a sigh, "I'm a new 'kid'. Arthur," he nodded at Hannibal, "Of Camelot."

[decoder_rings]

"Hannibal...of America," he said and offered a hand. "Good to meet you Arthur of Camelot. I don't believe I know any Arthurs of Camelot."

[bitch_prince]

He considered Hannibal's hand for a moment, but the man had seemed amiable enough. Arthur took it, and shook. "That might be in some way related to this entire 'being new' thing," he said, "Although clearly, that's a guess at best." Arthur was getting better about this whole 'people not knowing who he was' issue, as well.

[decoder_rings]

"You seem a little pissed at being new," Hannibal said, amused. "It goes away after a few weeks, you know. No need to hold a grudge."

[bitch_prince]

"So far, you haven't said anything worth grudges." He was just... worried. Let it never be said Arthur Pendragon took anything out on other people. "But you may have met my manservant. Merlin." Just making sure how much of a trail of destruction he'd already left.

[decoder_rings]

"Merlin!" That name he recognized. "He's my little brother. So, you're the prince!"

At least this prince wasn't wearing a crown or carrying a scepter.

[bitch_prince]

Crowns got in the way. As did scepters. They were really easy to break in a fight.

"Yes," Arthur said, with a staggering lack of surprise, "I am the prince. I hope he hasn't given you any trouble." It was the first question he did have to ask every single time, after all.

[decoder_rings]

"Nah, he's fine," he said and waved a hand. "He was more concerned with how you were dealing."

[bitch_prince]

"He has this affliction. It's called being a girl," Arthur said, with a bit of a snort. Although nobody else got to call Merlin that, clearly. "You'll be 'old', then."