[video | action open to Heimdall]

[whatagoodgirl]

I... I don't understand...

[The small, slender Japanese girl with the high ponytail and downtilted eyes might be familiar to some. She's standing in front of Heimdall House with a newcomer's letter in her hands, dressed in the same uniform as the first time she arrived, but it doesn't quite fit right anymore - she's gotten taller since she made it, started to fill out a little. At least in Asgard, which proves that she hasn't been completely reset.

The confusion on her face starts to contort into alarm as her words confirm that truth.]

Isn't - it over? I remember Freyr - when he - wasn't that the end? But now it's like none of it ever happened... the letter, and the maid, and everything looks just like the first time...

[And now edging into panic as she leans against one of the house's walls, wrapping her arms around her middle and shivering.]

What's going on?!

((ooc: and the thing is done ;D))

Comments

[whatagoodgirl]

... Merlin?

[She won't push, but just for a second, he didn't look right. She can't just let that slide without giving him a chance to talk if he needs it.]

[dragonspeak]

[Several emotions flicker across his face before it settles on something close to resignation. Morgana is Nakama's friend, too, and she'd find out sooner or later.]

It's Morgana.

[Merlin sighs, putting a hand on her shoulder and gently steering her in the direction of his home.]

She got some new memories from Camelot. Before, she was from our past, but now... [He pauses.] Life hasn't been kind to her in the last two years. She needs time to adjust.

[whatagoodgirl]

[Her stomach sinks at those two simple words. She remembers Morgana's panicked, hysterical post not long before the war, and now this... what must she have lived through, to change her so drastically that Merlin would look this grim? What will Nakama face when the two meet again?]

Do you think she'll be okay? [She's got her adult face on now. Not accepting any sugarcoating or softening here. Tell her the truth.]

[dragonspeak]

I don't know.

[That's what really gets him. He has no idea if Morgana will give into the hatred her new memories bring or if she'll pull through it.]

All we can do is trust that she'll make the right choices in the end.

[whatagoodgirl]

[Nakama hugs herself tightly under the cloak, her gaze falling to her feet.]

I've never known someone as kind or giving as Morgana before. I can't imagine anything taking that away forever.

[dragonspeak]

Hatred does strange things to a person--takes someone kind and twists them into someone unrecognizable.

[The muffled hush of the city brought about by the snow presses around them as they walk, adding weight to their soft conversation.]

It's the same with fear and anger. When you have all three...you lose sight of yourself sometimes.

[whatagoodgirl]

I don't know what she went through, but... I've seen really awful people come around and do the right thing, so I know that someone who's good at heart can still do it. And there's even -

[She thinks about it for a moment.]

- I mean, I hated the people in my hometown. I was scared, and I was angry. But just coming here, even with all the terrible things the gods did, was enough to change me. Wasn't it?

[She may be grasping at straws, but both selfishly and for Morgana's sake, she doesn't want her to be bitter and hateful. She has to believe that her dear friend can come back.]

[dragonspeak]

I know she isn't lost to us.

[At least, he really hopes not.]

But what she does with the memories needs to be her decision. There's too much bad blood between us in the future for me to help her properly right now.

[whatagoodgirl]

[She - nods, eventually.]

She just wouldn't trust you, you mean? What about someone who's got no connection to Camelot at all?

[The offer is as clear as if she'd spoken it explictly.]

[dragonspeak]

[He's quiet, for a moment.]

It could work. I don't know if she's willing to see anyone right now. Nakama...if you go to her, you have to prepare yourself. I still believe the Morgana we know is in there, but right now she's still struggling with the memories.

[A sigh.] She hates us, back in Camelot.

[whatagoodgirl]

What - no, I'm sorry, I shouldn't ask that. But you know I'd do anything for you guys after how much you've helped me out, all of you. If you think it'll do anything, then whenever the time feels right, all you have to do is ask.

[Her rigid, determined expression flags a little, and she pulls her cloak tighter around her again, for comfort more than warmth.]

I'm sorry, Merlin. How's - how's Arthur? Is he -

[Coping is the wrong word, but she can't think of one to replace it. She only knows that Arthur and Morgana loved one another in a strange but very deep way, and she can't imagine how he feels now.]

[dragonspeak]

He's worried, of course. We all are.

[Merlin, realising that this isn't the topic he wants to discuss just when Nakama returns, reaches out and flicks at her hair playfully.]

Hey. Things will be fine. [He hopes.] We'll work it out somehow.

[whatagoodgirl]

Merlin! [She smoothes down her ponytail indignantly, but it gets a smile from her.] Thanks for warning me, anyway. I would've been... scared, I guess, if I didn't hear from her and didn't know all this.

[dragonspeak]

I wish I didn't have to tell you. [He breathes out, watching the breath form puffs of white in the cold air.]

But I know you would have wanted to see her eventually.

[whatagoodgirl]

No, it's a good thing. I'd rather have bad news than no news at all.

[She can't quite keep her gaze focussed on one thing, constantly taking in the familiar but oddly nostalgic sight of the grey buildings and people, the mounds of snow.]

Has it been quiet here since the war? Or are the gods twice as bad now that the sickness is worse again and two of them are gone?

[dragonspeak]

It's been quiet. I think they're in shock...a bit. They must not have expected everything that happened since the battle, but they've started pulling new Travelers in again.

[The house comes into view at last and Merlin scuffs his boots against the stone steps to some of the snow off before he pushes the front door open.]

You might not see some of them until later, if they're not here. They're probably at the Citadel giving lessons right now.

[whatagoodgirl]

Yeah, I think I've seen some of them. I recognized the looks on their faces.

[She follows after him, cleaning her shoes as well and then toeing them off once she's inside, but keeping the cloak on. She can't quite hold back a relieved sigh at the warmth of the house.]

That's okay, there's time. [It's an odd feeling, being able to say that. She has time again. Everything felt so rushed, so panicked last time she was here.] Can I make us something to drink? Hot chocolate, or tea?

[dragonspeak]

[Merlin debates for a second, fiddling with his clasp.]

Some tea might be good.

[Then his eyes widen comically.]

Er, wait. I'm supposed to be the one offering you that, not the other way around.

[whatagoodgirl]

Oh - I'm sorry! [She bows, stepping out of the way of the kitchen.] I'm just used to... well, I always offer. But it's your house, you're right.

[dragonspeak]

[The ridiculousness of the situation just makes Merlin chuckle. He steers Nakama into one of the chairs.]

You think about other people too often. Let someone else take care of you for once.

[whatagoodgirl]

[She opens her mouth to object, but she's already being plopped down into a chair, so she just tucks herself into her cloak and settles there.]

Alright. Just this once.

[dragonspeak]

Not just this once.

[He's not taking no for an answer! Merlin sets two cups of tea down on the table, pushing one toward her.]

I've got about a month's worth of fussing over you to make up for, you know.

[whatagoodgirl]

A month? [She nearly drops her teacup, but manages to keep it stable with both hands.] Has it really been that long?

[dragonspeak]

Just about, I think. It's been some time.

[He takes a sip of the hot liquid, looking off to the side.]

I've got to find you a Yule present, as well.

[whatagoodgirl]

Oh, Merlin, no! You don't have to do that! You already gave me a cloak, and besides, I can't get anyone anything back for awhile...

[She stares down into her cup, looking troubled. Will her bosses at Tailor Made remember her? Will she have to start all over? They were like a second family to her, too, and now she might be dropped right back down to the bottom of the ladder... or not even accepted at all.]