26th Spark || [Video/Action] 4th Wall

[tiercelet]

It's just like any other day in the Breeding Centre: Merlin wakes with the dawn, putters about in the kitchen with tea to wake himself up, then starts checking up on the pokemon. Just like usual--or so he thinks.

As he's passing through the front hall, there's a woosh of something in the air that makes the picture frames he'd so carefully put up

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[tiercelet]

[Only some quick thinking saves the picture frames from going crashing to the ground. A hasty wave of the hand, and the pictures stack themselves neatly on a table in the next room, safely out of harm. The sight of her in such a state only throws him into more panic.]

Arturia. [He reaches out for her, not at all minding the armour or the power crackling off her.] What happened?! You were fine this morning--I don't--

[tiercelet]

[She's disappearing. Though Merlin still doesn't completely understand how a heroic spirit works, this much he knows. Her expression, her words, the way her image is fading tells him what he needs to know.]

Intended state--you mean-- [She couldn't mean death--no, even the dormant state she'd spoken of before is a horrifying enough thought. Asleep until the world needs her again...what sort of rest is that?]

Y-you can't... [Mindful as he usually is about her personal space, he's going to disregard it this time and draw her into a tight embrace, shaking. Is this how the others before have disappeared? He can't decide which is worse: waking up in the morning to find another friend gone without a trace or watching them disappear in front of him, unable to do anything.] There must be some way to stop this!

No ONE

[tiercelet]

[At this point, Merlin's about ready to Shirou here himself, but if Arturia has another idea, then it's worth a listen.]

Don't talk like that. [Merlin turns, resting his cheek against her hair.] Whatever it is that you need, I'll do it.

whoooo

[tiercelet]

[He swallows back all the questions--are you sure? don't you need to be something special for that? how will this work?--and saves them for later.]

If you think this will keep you from disappearing, then tell me what I must do.

[tiercelet]

Haven't had the chance to. [He hopes he'll be able to find a familiar one day, without having to constantly look over his shoulder in worry.]

All right. [Merlin catches her gaze.] Let's do this.

[tiercelet]

[Stumbling back and finally just sprawling on the floor, Merlin shields his eyes as Arturia concludes the contract. The sharp stinging in his right arm is easy to ignore in favour of watching her, and it's with relief that he sees the life returning to her. Watching her fade had possibly been one of the worst experiences he'd ever been through.

It's only when the blue lights and the tingle of power had faded that Merlin pushes himself off the ground and approaches her, slowly. She's completely solid again.]

That's it, then? [He reaches for her hands with his.] How do you feel?

[tiercelet]

I was worried. I thought... [He slips his hands out so he can cup her face, lean in and press his forehead to hers with a sigh.] I thought you were returning to your world, and I'd never see you again.

And...it's Merlin, yeah? We already went over this before.

[tiercelet]

Not that impressive, really. [The words "impressive" and "Merlin" just don't go together, if the others from Camelot have anything to say about it.] Even with my magic restored, I couldn't do anything for you.

[He brushes her hair away from her face.] This doesn't change anything--I'm still just Merlin, and you're still Arturia.