o15 ♔ video / open action

[pratentious]

[ Not an unusual sight, Arthur being melancholy. It's been all too common these past months. He might like to change that. ]

By Asgard's measures, I've been here over a year now - near two-hundred and thirty days, if I've kept count correctly. [ He has. ] In that time, I have witnessed ... a great many things. I've seen peasants turned Knight, Princes turned King, Kings laid to their eternal rest. I've watched my men come and go, some more than once with no recollection of their previous incarnations.

I've seen war ravage this land with no surety that any of us would see the light of another day. I've watched my friends die - some, more than once. More than twice. [ A pause. ] I've bid farewell to more friends than I care to count, all of whom returned to whatsoever awaits them in their realms without so much as a whisper. They will not remember us or our trials. They may never return. Like paying respects to a ghost.

[ He misses Conan. And Kate. Mary, Sora, Robb. Too many to count. More than he cares to count. He inhales. Exhales. ]

A dear friend once told me that you ought to eat ice cream with the ones you care about. He took me to a parlour in Freya on numerous occasions. [ Because he cared. Arthur had a brother, once. He breathes deep again, and tries for a small smile. ] You might find me there today, if you'd care. My treat - and I swear on my honour not to be maudlin all over you. It's a terribly unbecoming thing for a king.

[ Another pause, and he might've made this next bit private, but it sends a message to more than just one. ]

Merlin, I expect to find you there at some point or another in the day. [ Arthur Squishyface Pendragon. Do not be rude. ] If it please you.

[ Better. Sort of. He's trying! And he will be sitting at a table at said NPC ice cream parlour in Freya, contemplating what flavour he ought to try this time, if you'd like to stumble upon him or meet up with the lonely King! ]

Comments

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[sworntovalor]

[This feed feels like a sword to his heart. This is the man he has betrayed by sharing his feelings with Guinevere. This great man, this man who is so much better in every way than he shall ever be.

He has never felt more ashamed of himself.

So he walks up to that ice cream parlor, bracing himself to finally setting the record straight. He comes up before his king and inclines his head.]

May I sit?

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[pratentious]

[ Arthur looks up from his menu and spares another small smile, simply for the sight of Lancelot once more. It's a painful thing, to wake up and realise you're missing the people right next to you every bit as much as those long departed. And he has missed him. ]

Please, do.

[ He gestures to the chair across the table, nodding his head once. ]

[Offline]

[marrying]

[TOO LATE BECAUSE SHE ALREADY BOUGHT ICE CREAM FOR YOU]

You're right.

[Somewhat conversationally, as Daphne sticks her spoon directly into her own strawberry ice cream.]

Eating pounds of ice cream when you're upset is very unbecoming for a king.

[Offline]

[pratentious]

[ WOW RUDE MOM I'M A BIG KID NOW X( Arthur groans, shaking his head, but he's grinning somewhat in the midst of despair. ]

Don't say that. You'll have Morgana and Merlin both calling me fat again.

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[conquering]

[ Morgana brushes her hair as he speaks. slow, intentional strokes of a golden hairbrush against black hair. she thinks of what to say, she thinks if to say something at all. if merlin would come, and he would, she suspects, then her duty to this task is over. it's an odd feeling, she has spoken and scolded and nearly pleased, only to prove to herself that she has yet to become a slave to her future. she knows it now, she may not be who she was, but she also knows who she isn't.

and her duty might be done. and then what? what is the next step for the girl who became queen and then nearly became nothing?

she should leave again, she had done her own. she should leave and put the rest in arthur's hands, in merlin's. they might yet be happy, they might now that the threats are gone. she should leave but she brushes her hair, one stroke then another. ]

Swear to try and smile instead, brother. if my memory is not mistaken, it was not a horrid look on you.

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[pratentious]

Horrid!

[ He is affronted! How rude of you, woman, to consider yourself next to nothing when you have remained Arthur's entire scope of the world, even when threats loom nigh above his head, heavy as the axe. There is something in everything, and she will always be something to the King that just can't quite learn to let go. ]

Your memory must be going with your age, sister, if you'll not remember you once fainted for it.

[ Brushing. Always with the brushing. Arthur frowns a little. ]

And you'll be bald as well to match it. Have you not had Guinevere assisting you with your mane?

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[burping]

It is a lovely notion, my lord.

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[pratentious]

One I've not extended near enough in my time, my Lady.

[ Is it not courtesy to invite your friends to dine with you? An honour, in some places, though here, the honour is entirely his. There are some he will never have the opportunity to invite again. ]

Would you care to join me?

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[dragonspeak]

[The words "Yes, of course" hover at the tip of his tongue before he can even think about it properly, but he manages to hold them back. Barely.

There was a time when Merlin would've been out the door before Arthur even finished talking. Before Arthur even had to ask. Now, all he can think of is how Arthur pushed him away, how badly it had hurt to gain what felt like his real friendship, only to have it all taken away again. It's not like Arthur hasn't done this before--far from it. All of Arthur's snide remarks about how useless Merlin is, how he always makes a mess of things, they all used to roll off him so easily in Camelot. This time, Merlin's finding it difficult to brush away Arthur's anger and accusations; this time, Merlin had bared all his secrets, let Arthur see the real him, and been met with something like disappointment, or even disgust. Sometimes he thinks it might've been better if he'd continued keeping his cards close to his heart like before, when he was able to bounce back from everything life threw his way by pushing his feelings so deep they slid out of sight and mind.

This is Arthur's way of apologising, Merlin knows. But it's unnecessary. Merlin can no more deny Arthur forgiveness than he can harm his king by his own will and hand. Forgiving Arthur is a given, as is keeping him safe so long as Merlin breathes. Trusting Arthur, on the other hand, is no longer so simple. While he can always trust Arthur to be a fair and just king, he's no longer certain Arthur won't shut him out like this again, and Merlin doesn't think he has the strength to go through this again.

His reply comes about an hour after Arthur sends out his message. It's short and to the point.]

Can't. I'll be at work the entire day.

permavid!

[pratentious]

[ Trust was never a part of the equation. How is one meant to trust someone they do not truly know? One that lies, repeatedly, and undermines Arthur's authority without question, without pause. Repeatedly. Arthur fears for the next curse that should reveal yet another something Merlin failed to tell him himself, or when circumstance will be enough that Merlin acts once more without Arthur's knowledge. Trust is something Arthur gives too freely, something he's been forced to realise is a burden to bear for both that would hold it. A double-edged blade that has cut them both to the quick, and Arthur knows that.

But trust is nothing he can consider. Not right now. Not when the wounds are too fresh from festering for so long without him even knowing it was there in the first place. Time has placed bitterness in the corners of Arthur's heart that were once reserved for a wild sort of joy his father tried and failed to school from him decades. Yet another betrayal where it hurts the most in even that much; the good King of Camelot is not so young anymore. Not so childish and naive.

Trust. What a fucking joke.

But Arthur is not laughing in the least bit. Unrestrained humour was burnt away with his kingdom in dreams that never were and always will be. Once and Future. He has hardly despaired of his destined future so much as when he is bade to scorn the two souls he cherishes most in all the worlds. Arthur sucks his teeth in frustration before turning on the feed. ]

Don't give me that rot when I know damn well there's several dozens others that could take the place of your undoubtedly excessive self-imposed shifts. A simple no would suffice.

[ Don't insult him like that. ]

[Filtered Anon Text]

[key_illusion]

[The description above sounds familiar, and he knows that Roxas trained with Arthur...Yup, he's already in a bad mood.]

Eating all that ice cream will rot out your stomach.

permavid!

[pratentious]

[ Arthur makes a face. ]

That sounds like the rubbish my nursemaid would tell me to dissuade me from drinking with the Knights.

[ ... But how can he be sure? He doesn't even really know what ice cream is, it's not like Roxas explained it to him. ]

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[gwenhwyfar]

"Ice cream"? What is that?

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[pratentious]

[ He perks! Introducing new things, yay. ]

It's a sort of sweet, though some flavours have a more bitter side to it as well. It's really quite good, if you'd like to have a taste.

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[ex_surprising150]

That seems like a very interesting way to honor those who have left this place.

[She's smiling. He has grown so much, even more from her own memories from home. Still, she knows he's that annoying prat she knows so well, but he's a King too, and a good one at that.]

Is the ice cream helping?

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[pratentious]

In some measure, I suppose. The philosophy stands that it's intended for good company.

[ Hint hint wink wink nudge nudge hey look listen: that's you. Come dine on sweet creamery with your absurdity of a King. ]

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[verybigpheasants]

[ Melancholy, indeed. Not much change from the usual here lately.

Or ever. Which is rather unfortunate to consider. Pendragons of Camelot, poor bastards all. Best not to leave him to mope without making any effort. ]

As one of your Knights hailing from days yet to come, I feel it's my duty to inform you that your speeches never get any shorter.

[ That friendship and loyalty and being moved lark is supposed to be a given, right. ]

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[pratentious]

[ We're Pendragons. We're not allowed to have nice things like homes or happiness. ]

I'll take that to mean I've not lost my touch.

[ Nope, non, nein. You suck, Gwaine. ]

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[oblivionize]

[She's listening, but it's one phrase that really catches her attention. "Friends eat ice cream together." "Can we be friends, too?" "Let's ask Axel when he gets back!"

It's a sad pang in her chest when she speaks.]

It's the icing on the cake. Ice cream is what best friends do together, right? After a long day, they eat ice cream and say silly jokes.

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[pratentious]

Thats precisely what he told me when he first foisted the treat upon me.

[ Arthur was ambivalent. Roxas was adamant. It worked out. ]

Is this a custom in your time, then? I can't say I miss the appeal.

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[better]

[Erica hears that it's been a year, but it's short a few hundred days. Does that mean she's going to age quicker?]

That's a short year.

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[pratentious]

It is that. The seasons seem to pass more quickly as well, which lends to the theory that time functions in a different manner between here and there.

[ A pause, as he considers that. ]

Not that I have the faintest idea what that really means. Magic.

[ Psh. ]

[Video]

[madcuriosity]

You're majesty, I'm so sorry. I could meet you at the parlour, if you life? To go through so much...

[Video]

[pratentious]

Such is the nature of a lifetime of war, I'm afraid. My only regret is that we could not see its end to spare you its like.

[ Arthur may not hate the gods, but he will never forgive them their bringing children into this mess. ]

It is not without its benefits, though, if I might enjoy an ice cream with those I would otherwise never know in my years. It would be my honour to have you at my table, Alice.

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

Ice-cream! What a fantastic idea!

[ Well, the enthusiasm is definitely the Doctor's. But the coat? No, that's probably a bit new. Just a bit. ]

[Video]

[pratentious]

[ Oh my god, he's crazier than usual how is that possible play it cool, Pendragon, play it cool. ]

One that transcends the heavens, Doctor?

[Video]

[foodshortage]

That is... an interesting philosophy.

[Video]

[pratentious]

A simple one, really. Sometimes simplicity is a blessing.

[ Hello, father. Would you like some ice cream? ]

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[badwolf]

I knew time was weird here... But I didn't think it was that off.

[That's .. weird. Not too weird, she's been to places like that, but it hadn't seemed like it, here. The days weren't longer, the nights weren't shorter. It was just, off.]

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[pratentious]

I hadn't realised it myself until I set about this transmission, in all honesty. Perhaps they simply count the days oddly, as they are wont to do with all basic tasks.

[ Stop making shit unnecessarily complicated, Asgard! ]

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[mccallmemaybe]

Do they have Ben & Jerry flavors here?

Don't eat ice cream too fast. [ Such words of wisdom. ] Brain freezes suck.

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[pratentious]

[ What are these strange and foreign words you are speaking, Scoot. ]

I ... don't believe I've come across anyone by those names here, no.

[ That's what he's asking, right? ]

Is that when your head becomes all - [ super classy vague hand gestures ] - tight, as though it's under a great weight?

[Offline]

[ofthursday]

[Castiel isn't one to pass up free ice cream.

He's been having a difficult few days, and focusing on anything possible to distract himself; ice cream sounds like a good way to do that, and he hasn't seen Arthur in awhile. With Merlin now living with Castiel and Daphne, it seems like there's a lot to catch up.

So he wanders up, about an hour after the post is made, greeting Arthur with a silent nod.]

[Offline]

[pratentious]

[ And Arthur smiles cordially with a nod of his own. Distractions seem to be the flavour of the day for most; odd, that Asgard's quietest period should leave so much room for noise. ]

Castiel. Please.

[ He gestures to the seat opposite him. ]

Audio

[samantha_grey]

I know we don't talk that much, but you mind if I take you up on that another day? I'm... not good with crowds usually.

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[pratentious]

As crowds are all I've known in my life, I can't say that I blame you.

[ Mighty troublesome things they are. ]

Another day, and it would be my pleasure, Samantha.

[Video]

[horlogerie]

...There is ice cream here?

[Noble and solemn speech right over his head, or rather stored away because he doesn't know you...and cannot gather any feeling that he has the right to ask about it]

[Video]

[pratentious]

There is. I can't speak of the other districts, but I know it is sold in at least Freya and Thor.

[Video]

[childofthewickedday]

[Mordred draws a triskelion on a piece of paper and holds it up a bit clumsily]

[Video]

[pratentious]

[ Arthur smiles faintly; it's a symbol he's only familiar with in passing, as it's all he was ever allowed. Another chance for the young to teach the old. ]

How's that, then, young Mordred?

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[feathery]

dude what
how long is a year here
thats a detail i never got filled

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[pratentious]

I hadn't watched the days precisely but I know the second Spring blossomed near a standard month ago.

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[starktomboy]

[Arya isn't so sure what it might feel like to be stuck here for an entire year. She knows that she's been here several months now, two of her siblings already come and gone, but to know that she was here while they were there and stuck in their own fates while she remained.... was incredibly sad. She doesn't let on her own feelings, however, her expression neutral.]

I don't think it's so unbecoming. You miss them. If you could see them again you would.

[There's a distant look in her eye, almost speaking more loudly than her actual words. For her, her whole family is dead. Her parents, her siblings, though Sansa seemed to be alive from what she knew. Small relief that was when she couldn't be with her.]

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[pratentious]

[ He remembers what she said, of her brothers and of her home, remembers the fear she fought to hide the first time he'd met her. It's difficult to run for one's life when there are people left behind or people ahead where no time or space will reach them. Arthur regards her sadly in silence before nodding his head once. ]

In a heartbeat.

[ You miss them. And it never stops. ]

But to linger in the past is an easy to lose oneself. I've done enough idle wishing for what may never be.

[ He has people here. Friends and family; he has people he wants to protect, and he can't do that if he's too busy begging after yesterday. He has Arya sitting right in front of him, suffering in her own silence the way they are all so keen to do. Arthur won't let himself look away from it anymore. ]

I'd loathe to miss my chance with what we have now.

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[brokennotmad]

Does the ice cream truly help you feel better?

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[pratentious]

It's rather the company that does the trick, I think. The ice cream is the added bonus.

[video]

[felttheburn]

[When Kieran sees who the feed is from, he watches. Merlin said that Arthur ran the citadel -- they'd been distracted since he learned that and the video is a reminder he hasn't gone by there yet.

It's not anything he would have expected. And nothing that they'd been told.

Dying more than once wasn't a foreign concept; losing all memory of a part of your life was. He can't imagine it and, if he was honest with himself (he tries to be, since Ash will know anyway) it's frightening to think of as a possibility. Arthur doesn't seem to be in a good place, and for good reason.

But he knows about the war. And they needs to get shit done, to know shit, to form connections in this place whether he likes it or not. Kieran doesn't like it. He hates it. It's necessary. He catches the jab at Merlin, wondering again about what's seeming more and more like a messy breakup, and puts on his 'I can totally be nice, see Ashes?' face. Which is basically just a bit less scowling and slightly less profanity.]

What's ice cream?

[video]

[pratentious]

[ Arthur, thankfully, has no clue he's already spoken to Merlin. It may as well have been a messy break-up, for all that their friends and loved ones have been split in the aftermath. He's not doing well, but he is King and Arthur needs to get on with his affairs.

If Merlin's not there for it, well. That's his choice to make. ]

It's a bit hard to explain. If I'd to compare it to anything, it's like a partially frozen soup, but sweet or salty, depending on the flavour.

[ Very, very serious affairs, these. ]

audio/ BACKDATED BC YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT CR WITH FAITH TOO

[nukeoleptic]

You're a king?

[ What an odd thing to pick up and focus on, Jade. ]

audio/ I GOT YOU GURL WE COO'

[pratentious]

[ It's not the first time it's happened to him, really. ]

I am at that. King Arthur of Camelot.