(because we hear people are looking)

[comesindreams]

Somewhere, quiet, in the Mansion, Sebastian is fighting to get out. But not in the way he did before, trying to step back to the Den or even to Glorianna's island. His heart is dark and cold, and he seeks a place to match that feeling. If it had just been the one...the one stranger...perhaps he could have forgiven himself for losing control once.

Comments

[myrddin_wyllt]

In the wake of this fail, although Merlin insists that he's not getting involved, he can be found gathering wood by a river's shore, deeper in the forest.

[myrddin_wyllt]

A long drag of his pipe, and Merlin drawls a slow answer.

"Perhaps, then, you will be luckier than I, but why leave, pray tell?"

[comesindreams]

"That seems an odd question."

[myrddin_wyllt]

"Most people who come here don't effectively try to leave, or give up after a few months."

[comesindreams]

"Most people don't have sufficient motivation."

[myrddin_wyllt]

Merlin is thinking, I will not ask, I will not ask, I will not ask.

"What kind of motivation is that?"

... that went well.

[comesindreams]

"Sufficient," shortly.

[myrddin_wyllt]

Something flashes in the old man's eyes.

"The Queen."

[comesindreams]

He turns, and for just a moment his face is emphatically Other, fierce, stark planes, inhumanly beautiful, green eyes blazing with unholy fire. Then it is gone, and he is just snarling again, an angry man. "Spare me your words. I'm sure I've already heard them."

[myrddin_wyllt]

For a moment, in response, Merlin's face becomes unnaturally young, his eyes take on a slightly different color, a wind whirls into his robes, out of nowhere.

"So presumptuous of you, Incubus. Do you even know who I am?"

[comesindreams]

"She spoke of you once. It matters little to me."

[myrddin_wyllt]

Merlin shrugs. "I need not speak to her to know what is in her heart."

[comesindreams]

"I'm sure. And you know everything else as well, is that it?" Snapped.

[myrddin_wyllt]

"Only as far as Camelot goes," Merlin replies, almost amused. "But I know enough insofar as the Queen is concerned."

[comesindreams]

"Then keep it to yourself. I am no longer permitted to be concerned with her."

[myrddin_wyllt]

"You would abandon your responsibility because that idiot Kay ordered you so? How convenient, Sebastian. How so very convenient."

About as convenient, or inconvenient as Merlin's demonically inherited knowledge of the past.

God also gave him the future, which he is unfortunately about to inflict on you, Sebastian.

So much for staying uninvolved.