An Interlude || Locked to Saber

[tiercelet]

Despite Merlin's ability to take almost anything life threw at him and simply roll with the hit, routine had always been something of a comfort to him. It kept his hands busy and his mind free to wander as he wished, to quietly contemplate all that weighed on his mind. Recently, those thoughts had been occupied by his closest friends in Johto and

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[tiercelet]

[That has him raising an eyebrow.] Of course not. Why would I want you to leave?

[He slowly approaches until he's standing before her, concern etched in his features. No matter how good Arturia thinks her acting skills are, they aren't fooling Merlin in the least. She might have shown him this side of her when they first met, but those glimpses have become fewer and fewer as of late. The serious look on her face is a far cry from the cheerfulness he's come to expect.

No. This isn't the Arturia he's gotten to know.]

Something's bothering you. You don't need to hide it, you know. Not with me.

[tiercelet]

[Perhaps senses her mood, or because he realises on some level that she wants to talk to him. Whatever the reason is, Merlin wordlessly takes a seat next to her and places a hand on her shoulder.]

Hey, this is your room, too, Arturia. You're not intruding.

[He leans forward to get a better look at her face. This is important--whatever it is. Merlin's never heard of the Holy Grail before, but if it's the reason behind Arturia's odd behavior, then he wants to hear about it.]

Why did you?

[tiercelet]

[The initial surprise at her words quickly gives way to determination.]

Arturia, look at me. [His fingers are gentle as they slip under her chin and turn her face toward his, belying his harsh tone.] You aren't an intrusion--never were. I'd know better than anyone...so stop assuming you know what I think of you. All right?

Now...listen carefully. [He makes certain to catch her gaze, looking her straight in the eyes as he says this. And though he drops his hand, then, he does not move away.] There is no better king. Think about it. In the future, there are legends about you, about the things you've done for your people. You've already proven yourself to them. Would they really call you the greatest king even now if they didn't believe it?

[tiercelet]

I am fond of him. That doesn't mean I'm not fond of you, either. [A sigh escapes him as he draws his knees up toward his chest, fingers tapping out a steady rhythm against the floor--all unnoticed.] I think you're wrong. Arthur isn't better than you, just like you aren't better than him. You're both the destined king. And he isn't perfect like you're making him out to be. He makes mistakes sometimes, too. [The corner of his mouth twitches as he adds: ] A lot of the time, actually.

[Ahh, so she's still thinking about the tournament. He had been wondering about that. Merlin tilts his head toward her.] I know losing hurts, but you can't let this get to you. You don't have your old strength because you can't use the Heaven's Feel here, right? So train more...until you feel like your old self again. It's not like you to give up so quickly.

[And a pause--he isn't so sure what Arturia means about the latter.] What do you mean you failed?

[tiercelet]

He killed--wait. [He's practically sputtering as he suddenly sits up.] I thought...aren't the two of you friends?

[While Arturia's obvious distress worries him, he waits until she finishes before he finally reaches over, tugging her until she's leaning against him.

Though Merlin knows Arturia's is right, that he may never fully understand how things had worked in her world, her Master's death there, and Rin's disappearance from Johto he can relate to easily. It isn't too difficult for him to see why Arturia's mood has changed so completely since the tournament ended.]

I'm sorry. About...everything. [The silence falls heavily between them again for a moment.] Is there...a chance you'll see her again? Rin, I mean.

/pets

[tiercelet]

[That makes sense to him; if anyone had saved Arthur's life, Merlin knows he would feel indebted to them, too. The explanation is clean, easy for him to relate to. Not to mention, he's seen Arturia and Lancer together--if Lancer had meant her harm, he would have done something about it already.

This getting cleared up leaves room for Merlin to consider the other things that have been bothering him. Arturia dying at Mordred's hands. Her being summoned to fight again, several times from what he's heard.]

Is it really your home? [Don't think he didn't catch that moment of hesitance.] Why not make your home here? Lancer and Shirou are already here...and there's a chance Rin might return.

wow I did not get notifs for any of these...

[tiercelet]

It's only your grave if you think of it that way. [How do the other knights see it, Merlin wonders. So many of them have given their lives to protect Camelot--as they should, the king would probably say. You live for Camelot, you die for Camelot. Perhaps it's different for Arturia because she hasn't truly died. She still lives in between the world of the living and the dead, and has time to consider her position.

It doesn't matter, though, because she's always felt so alive to him.]

People can stay. Some people have already been here for a year, and have adjusted to Johto. You're right that others have disappeared, though.