001: [holo] father will not be pleased

[trainedprat]

"Yes, and once you've finished that, I'd like you to muck out my horses. There's also my riding boots, which are in a disgraceful state, and my armour to polish, floor to sweep, bed to make, saddle to shine-- properly this time, and are you even listening to me, Merli--"

Unfortunately, Arthur's tirade is cut woefully short, on account of his sudden

Comments

[ holo ]

[trainedprat]

The sudden appearance of Kirk's hologram on the tablet causes Arthur to point his sword at the thing threateningly, though he doesn't run it through. Yes, definitely magic, if ever there was any doubt.

"Who is this 'they' you speak of?" He asks imperiously, after a brief moment's consideration (which he spends listing the realms of the kingdom, and feeling pretty certain that 'Taxon' isn't one of them) "And who are you?"

[ holo ]

[trainedprat]

"Aliens?" The tip of Arthur's sword dips a little, out of incredulity and a certain amount of amusement. "Creatures from another world, you mean to say? Right. And I suppose you're a leprechaun."

[visual]

[azurehalo]

"Put that away before you hurt someone," Elena says, dryly, having caught Arthur's little rant and finding it--well. People who give directions like that get on her nerves, mostly because they remind her of herself.

"The people who kidnapped us aren't going to show up, and if you want to leave that room you have to pick up this thing I'm talking to you through and walk through the door with it. Before you ask, no, I'm not working with them, I'm trying to escape. And right now, I'm helping you."

[holo]

[trainedprat]

"Yes, I could do some very grave damage to the thin air, couldn't I?" Arthur shoots back with no small amount of irritation, and very pointedly not sheathing his sword.

"And I'm supposed to just take your word, am I? How am I to know there's not an army of warlocks beyond that door, just waiting to riddle me with arrows? Or worse, turn me into a-- frog."

[visual]

[azurehalo]

"I was thinking of you--and I guess you could just sit there, but there's no other way out, and you'll eventually starve to death. So I'd recommend getting it over with, like--" 'Tearing off a bandaid' wouldn't make any sense to him, she guesses, based on the whole 'sword-and-sorcery' theme she's picked up on.

"--jumping into cold water. You don't have to take my word for it, but I thought you should know what your options are. I'm Elena Gilbert, by the way."

[holo]

[trainedprat]

Alas, Elena's words are fairly convincing, and she doesn't talk like a wielder of magic-- which is to say vaguely and in riddles. She is a little rude, however... in ways that remind him oddly of Morgana.

"Tell me then, Elena Gilbert, do you always address royalty so bluntly?" He asks, making the concession of reaching out to lift the tablet, gingerly, as if it might burn him.

[accidental voice]

[magicalskeptic]

[Morgana's just awoken from a nightmare, in which Arthur is now in Taxon, to the image of Arthur being projected. In fear, she slaps out of her hated tablet, and, unbeknownst to her, broadcasts her voice. She gets progressively more hysterical.]

No! God, no. You can't. He's trapped. Arthur can't be here. Please, stop. Whoever you are, stop! Anything, keep me. I'll use your magic, if you send him home! He cannot stay. I'm dreaming. I think I'm dreaming but I'm awake.

[holo]

[trainedprat]

Well, Arthur would recognize that voice anywhere, even in the most unexpected of places-- and Taxon is certainly unexpected. Thankfully, by this point, he's worked out that voices and images come out of the tablet, and he no longer feels the urge to jump out of his skin whenever it happens. Thus, with comparative calm, he answers:

"Morgana? For goodness' sake, calm down, you're making me nervous."

[accidental voice]

[magicalskeptic]

[The problem with being only mostly conscious, is Morgana's inability to distinguish the reality of the tablet, with that of her dream. She continues speaking, but not at anyone in particular, as the hysteria alters to include fury.]

Did you hear me, whatever you are? I said, send him back. There is magic everywhere. He cannot stay safe. What if Uther -- I don't --

[For the first time since Morgana has arrived in Taxon, she cries, but she did not know if she cries out of frustration, or desperation.]

[holo]

[trainedprat]

In an instant, Arthur's expression softens, his tone changes to one devoid of all brusqueness, and he replies, more gently.

"Morgana, please. Calm down, it's alright. It's me, I'm here. I'm safe. Everything's going to be fine, I promise you."

It would be nice if he could see her, or have some idea of where she is, but that will have to wait until she's more placid.

[voice]

[rude_not_ginger]

Hello!

[holo]

[trainedprat]

Well. At this stage Arthur is getting used to strange unknown voices popping out of his device unbidden, so he just sort of gives the tablet a funny look, as he answers:

"Er... hello?"

[voice]

[rude_not_ginger]

Right, you've just arrived, yes?

[holo]

[trainedprat]

"Apparently," he replies, a little dryly. "Might I ask who I'm speaking to?"

[voice]

[sgmitchell]

And you'll do that locked in a room, how?

[holo]

[trainedprat]

"Locks can be broken as well as bones, in my considerable experience."

This in Arthur's typically bored drawl, which belies his very unbored tension. His sword is pointing firmly at the tablet currently, it should be noted, as he demands:

"Did you bring me here?"

[voice]

[sgmitchell]

[Yes, well, you're always less impressive as a dinky little hologram, aren't you? And the body he's guesting in could do with some banging up.]

If I were, I would have defeated the entire point of the comment by answering you, wouldn't I?

[holo]

[trainedprat]

This response is met with a rolling of eyes, as Arthur makes for the door, tired of hanging around in this... bizarre metal room with only irritating voices for company.

"Oh, so you did have a point, did you? I was beginning to wonder."