Open - Lights Will Guide You Home

[servant]

WHO || Merlin and YOU. (Open!)
WHAT || Stargazing
WHERE || Outside of HQ
WHEN || Late night/tonight
HOW || actionspam

[For all that he's forgotten, Merlin still remembers a time when he would sleep whenever and wherever he had the chance. He also remembers Arthur catching him when he was supposed to be doing his chores, and the stocks (or mostly just the threat of them.)]

[That had changed with time - with maturity and responsibility. Merlin eventually became one of the last in the castle to fall asleep and one of the first to rise. Months removed from that, Merlin could (and probably should) be getting a good night's rest, because there's always the chance of a mission and no shortage of new things to learn. But instead he's sneaking outside, when most of headquarters has already gone silent and dark.]

[Merlin sits down on the grass with a sigh, takes a moment to admire the night sky that's a constant source of reassurance. It hasn't changed.]

[And neither has he, apparently.]

Draca.

[Merlin smiles at the glowing outline of the Pendragon dragon that forms in front of him, like he's greeting an old friend.]

Comments

[servant]

[Even with the night's silence, Merlin isn't entirely sure he heard a voice until he looks over and actually spots her. The dragon's outline brightens for a moment, then fades away into nothingness.]

Thanks.

[Merlin smiles at her before glancing back over his shoulder, checking to see just how close the nearest window is.]

I hope you didn't see that from - I mean, I didn't wake you with it, did I?

[burnsbright]

Oh, no, I was out walking. [She twists around a little to look behind her, then back at him, and there's a smile in her voice, even if it's not visible.] In the dark. I like seeing how this place is different when the star is out of sight.

[The stars overhead are bright, but other light sources are far away, and dim from here. An owl calls in the distance.] Hope I'm not interrupting.

[servant]

I think I know what you mean. I used to be mildly afraid of the dark. Now I much prefer it to artificial light.

[He shrugs, but Merlin's quick to follow it with a shake of his head.]

You're not interrupting at all. You're welcome to join me. Or I could walk with you? Unless of course you wanted to be alone.

[And he finds himself hoping that she doesn't, realizing then that he's sort of lonely himself.]

[burnsbright]

There's a saying - "The brighter the light, the darker the shadow." ...Okay, now I'm not sure how that's relevant beyond being about light and darkness, so maybe you should politely ignore that.

[Scout chuckles.]

I don't mind. Can you see okay in the dark? If you can't you could break out the glowing sparks again, or I can turn on my comm device. [She taps a finger against her Drakenet phone, in its pouch at her waist.]

My name is Tallisibeth, but you could call me Scout.

[servant]

No, I like that. It's very, uhm. Deep.

[Merlin scoots over, belatedly realizes that it was sort of silly, considering how much room there is on the ground.]

My eyes have pretty much adjusted. And it's nice to meet you, Scout. I'm Merlin.

[burnsbright]

I guess I could say that the city lights drown out the stars and make the skies seem darker. Because they do - light pollution, you know.

[Shrugging, she comes somewhat closer and half-drops, half folds into sitting in the grass. Absently Scout tugs up a few long seed-heavy strands to twist around her fingers.]

Merlin. Hello.

So what was the spark thing?

[servant]

Mm, just something I used to do to entertain myself. When I was feeling bored or lonely, I suppose.

[His smile turns a bit sheepish.]


Must sound ridiculous. The idea of someone feeling bored or lonely here.

[But he wonders if she might get it, in a way, since she sounds like she prefers stars to fake lights too.]

Can I ask you a question?

[burnsbright]

Of course it's not ridiculous. You can be either anywhere.

[Scout draws one of her knees to her chest and drapes an arm around it, looking up at the stars.]

Go ahead.

[servant]

[It's a simple question, really. But one he's curious about nonetheless.</small.] How did you get the nickname 'Scout'?

[burnsbright]

I don't remember exactly why. Maybe there was something specific, when I was little... If it was, that's gone. In general, though...

[The dark makes Scout feel a little safer, a little more willing to talk, but she's not ready to bring up her Force-Sensitivity.]

In general, my people... my family... sometimes we give each other nicknames based on some particular talent. And I can take a new situation in quickly - I'm observant.

[She shrugs.] It's easier to shout than 'Tallisibeth'.

[servant]

Oh, yeah. Arthur does the same thing. That's how he gave me the nickname 'idiot'.

[Merlin grins at her, but nods to show that he understands.]

I like it. I'll call you Tallisibeth if you prefer though.

[burnsbright]

[She snorts gently and makes a guess from his voice, face, and some vague leanings from the Force.] Special skills in not doing what he wants right when he wants it?

Thanks, but Tallisibeth was a long time ago. I'm used to Scout. Means I'm not in trouble. [She tips her head in some odd gesture.] Save it for special occasions and it's good.