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

[burnsbright]

[Scout gets by on little sleep, snatching a few hours at a time, padding those hours out with meditation. It helps with the dreams.]

[No place is safe. She's been trying to familiarize herself with the castle and the land around it, seeing it at different times, trying to notice everything. Tonight she climbed out of her window and just went walking in the dark, eyes half closed, trying to rely on memory and the Force. It's gone okay. Her boots and clothes have saved her from a number of barked toes and skin scratches, but she hasn't smacked into anything or fallen into the pond.]

[The flare of warm light ahead makes her stop. Scout considers for a moment, then starts towards it, flattening a rustling trail in the long grass. She stops when she's fifteen feet or so away, the light reflecting from her eyes. Her voice is quiet.]

It's beautiful.

[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.

[reallywicked]

[Faye doesn't always like sleeping at night. Ever since she arrived at the castle, she finds herself having strange dreams. Dreams about people she can't place, events she doesn't recall, and most often... fire.

But instead of whining or wondering about it, Faye just gets herself out of bed and walking. Eventually she finds herself outside the castle walls. Fresh air will do her good? It's a theory, at least.

It's while she's strolling across the grounds that she spots something up ahead. Bored and with nothing better to do, she approaches. Once she's close enough, she stops and observes. There's something about it that feels familiar- like a tingle in the back of her mind. But once Faye tries to grab for the memory, it slips away.]

Nice trick.

[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.]

[servant]

[The dragon flies a little closer to the sound of her voice, but only to cast enough light for Merlin to see who it is.]

It's not much.

[He smiles, arms crossed over the tops of his knees.]

What are you doing out so late? Is this another wicked things?

[His smile turns into a grin though. If she's wicked, he must be too.]

[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.

[reallywicked]

[She stands very still as the dragon flies up towards her. The way it moves is almost intoxicating. She doesn't know how he's doing it, but it looks fun. And still that familiar nag at the edges of her thoughts lingers...]

Here's a tip: modesty is lame. Don't ruin something cool by acting like it's no big deal.

[But that comment about wicked things? That actually earns you a little smirk!]

Anyone up at this hour has to be up to no good.

[She remains standing because sitting on the grass is so not something she's interested in right now.]

So what's your story?

[asap]

[Andie doesn't sleep much. Or she does, but rarely all at one time. She takes cat naps at random points during the day and night and spends the rest of the time trying to entertain herself. So when she sees the glowing dragon, it seems like a way to pass part of the evening.

She runs towards it and stops shortly before she hits Merlin, jogging the rest of the way at a more reasonable, human pace.]

That's so cool! How'd you do it? Magic?

[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.

[servant]

You thought that was cool?

[And if he was trying more for honesty than modesty before, now he feels like he should be honest. But she says that's lame, and he's learned enough to know that that doesn't have anything to do with an inability to walk.]

Trust me, it was just a trick compared to other things.

[His story. Merlin thinks about that one before shrugging.]

I remember that I used to slink around in the dark a lot. I guess old habits die hard.

[servant]

[Merlin sits up a little straighter when he catches sight of her, forgetting about the embers completely. But then he gets a better look at her expression and knows that nothing's wrong.]

It is, actually.

[And it still feels good to be able to admit that.]

Would you like to see some more?

[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?

[asap]

[She nods and bounces down to the ground, sitting next to him.]

Sure! Do a magic show. And I'm Andie.

[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?

[servant]

I'm Merlin.

[He laughs softly, because she seems energetic, and that's always a good sign. Merlin whispers a few words into his palm, and a flame dances there, before forming three or four smaller ones that begin zooming around them like fireflies.]

Andie.

[One of the flames stretches and twists, until it forms the letters of her name.]

[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.

[reallywicked]

[She shrugs, but a smile twitches at the corners of her mouth.]

It was alright.

[Her interest is extremely perked now. And she doesn't care much for that excuse of an answer when it comes to her story question, because there's more important things to talk about.]

Other things? What other things?

[asap]

[She lets out a delighted laugh and applauds.] Very neat! Can you do other stuff? Besides light shows? I mean, if you're named Merlin....

[servant]

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

[servant]

Uhm. Fire, lightening. I can make people fall asleep.

[Somehow he's not sure if she'll be at all impressed by any of those though. Maybe something a little more wicked.]

Once made a witchfinder cough up a toad.

[servant]

Sure I can.

[He shrugs his shoulders, grinning at her.]

After all, I'm named Merlin, right?

[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'.

[asap]

[She nods excitedly.] So are you like, real Merlin like Sir King Arthur is real King Arthur?

[reallywicked]

[Maybe she was wrong about this guy. He may not be so bad.]

So you can have some fun... Good to know.

So... fire, huh? You wanna show me?

[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.

[servant]

Who doesn't like a little fun?

[Merlin shrugs, then purses his lips like he's considering her request.]

[Truth be told, he's already made up his mind.]

Forbearnan.

[One of the first real spells he actually learned. Making the flames dance in his palm is as easy as breathing.]

Be careful. It will burn you.

[servant]

That's right. [Merlin tilts his head at her, suddenly curious.] You've heard stuff about us?

[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.

[reallywicked]

[From the moment that the flame appears, all of Faye's snark is gone and replaced with a look of something akin to hunger. The light dances in her dark eyes, and it feels like greeting an old friend.

She doesn't respond to Merlin's warning, but only inches closer. Much like when she got frustrated with that Wade guy at the party, Faye's thoughts begin to swirl with words.

Nothing forms fully. She's completely enthralled, though.]

[asap]

You're kinda a big thing. In, uh, now. Though I sorta thought you were a lot older.