Seven; [Voice]

[targetprime]

[And here is a very tired-sounding voice echoing across the journal and into your household. Ramirez doesn't particularly enjoy using the things for initiating conversation, but considering Fina's state at the moment, he figured he should at least alert any of her companions for her. Especially after that worrisome video feed that was shown not

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/only tagging now after graduation weekend, sorry!

[awaitingalbion]

I am. [He pauses.] One of Fina's friends, I mean.

In what way is she ill? [His voice is strained. Very strained. Clearly he wants to ask more.]

No problem! I understand.

[targetprime]

I am pleased to meet you then.

[Unfortunately, Ramirez is very secretive about the entire thing so Merlin gets a carefully vague response:]

Something in her was making her very sick. I managed to remove it, but she is still suffering from the aftereffects.

[awaitingalbion]

She will recover, yes?

[He sounds to be on the edge of a concerned breakdown. But Merlin takes a deep breath and regains control.]

Merlin. I'm Merlin.

[targetprime]

[You and him both, Merlin.]

Of course she will. I will not allow her to become worse.

Mister Merlin, then? Please call me Ramirez. It is a shame we could not speak under happier circumstances.

[awaitingalbion]

You have a cure?

[He doesn't expend the breath to complete the introduction. Pleasure to meet you doesn't seem appropriate; although he is grateful to finally make Ramirez' acquaintance. Anyone else who felt protective of Fina was a worthwhile ally, in his books.]

[targetprime]

All I can do now is wait. Removing the source seems to have put a stop to her detrimental health, but if she begins to relapse...I may have to help her again.

[...He sound incredibly unhappy at that prospect, in more ways than one. The first time the operation had been attempted left Fina terrified of him and speaking nonsense for the rest of the day.

He would rather not have that happen again.]

[awaitingalbion]

Is there any way in which I can help? She...[Merlin frowns some more.] I'd hate to see her anything less than happy.

[targetprime]

[Your devotion to her is admirable, Merlin.]

I'm afraid not. Though I will be sure to inform you if there is. For now, try not to worry.

[...Though the final sentence piques his interest.]

...The two of you must be close.

[awaitingalbion]

[Ramirez's observation catches Merlin off guard. It sends him into a spiral of babble.] What? Err, no. We're just friends. I mean--Fina's very lovely. But we got mixed up in that love spell event and...[He stops, rethinking his response.]

She's been very good to me.

[targetprime]

[Ramirez listens to his stuttered response. Though Merlin seems quick to deny it, his words appeared to betray a much deeper sentiment towards his adopted sister than the young man was letting on. He inclines his head toward the journal, passively listening to Merlin ramble.]

...I see.

She has always been a kind girl.

[awaitingalbion]

You're from her world, aren't you?

[Merlin puts his deductive powers to the test--after all, he has gleaned a fair amount of info from Fina, already.]

[targetprime]

I am.

It's been some time since I've seen her, but she has changed very little.

[awaitingalbion]

It's hard to imagine one person could remain so sweet for so long.

[targetprime]

[Merlin, you know you've got it bad if Ramirez can tell something is up.]

...She's a lovely girl. I'm glad to see she has grown up well without my aid.

[awaitingalbion]

Grown up? Then, it has been a while since you've last seen her.

[targetprime]

...

[...And this was where things get complicated.]

...Fina is seven years my junior. The last image I remember is a girl of ten years.

However, when I had been taken, only a year had passed since our final meeting.

...Apparently I do not return.