paradisa | ♛ one

Entry tags:

♛ one

[ While the castle is spared her initial surprise, she's finding it increasingly difficult to keep composure. The only thing that clues her in that she isn't dreaming is the nasty little gash on her head that continues to throb, as if to constantly remind her. In the lobby, she pauses and can do little more than stare at the polar bear who approaches her.

She's so confused that the idea of fearing it never comes to mind. Is it offering her a beverage? What. ]

.. Thank you?

[ This woman has clearly seen better days, and the current situation is doing little to ease her fears. It's only when the cold starts to get to her that she pulls her cloak closer and finds her journal in a pocket. Unaware that anyone is listening, she wearily dictates to it; ]

Have I truly lost my mind?

[ She's going with YES. Since bears are savage, not keepers of carbonated beverages. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's actually looking for someone to talk with, the hallucinations are bothering him and frankly he'd rather have a run in with someone and doing, well what the castle wanted then seeing that. Which would explain his staring at her as he walks into the lobby.

That's Igraine.

Igraine standing there with a journal in hand, talking to a bear...]

No, but I think I may have. [He says it loud enough as he hesitantly approaches her, pulling his own cloak closer to himself as he stares, hard, at this woman. Was this some trick of the castle? Some change in those visions of his?]

[ It is a voice she recognizes but, at first, she attributes hearing it to wishful thinking. Had she truly lost her mind, she would not have wished Merlin to be there to witness it. As such, she doesn't turn to face him immediately. ]

Merlin?

[ Then, she looks in the direction of his voice fully prepared to see nothing at all. Another figment? But no, he is there and she is both happy and sad for it. Without missing a beat, she closes the distance between them and dares to touch his face. Warm. Unfortunately, her hand is icy.

Nonetheless, she smiles. ] No, you have not.

[And if he was losing his, he wouldn't ask for her being there. He had nearly gone there once with her, she doesn't need it again.

And he does stare, and starts to approach her at first and next thing he knows he's feeling her hand on his face. Cold, and it's real. And that's all it takes to take her other hand in his to try and warm it and smiles, if only slightly.]

I'm sure if I should be happy or more upset at that. [He's torn, that's the problem but he moves his free hand up to hold hers against his face.] Your freezing.

Happy, I would hope. Unless you had hoped to lose it.

[ That slight smile, something so familiar, only served to reassure her further. He was here, truly here. At his next statement, she can't help but smile herself. The gesture is both kind and appreciated, even though it seems futile considering their newfound home. ]

I am in a castle made of ice.

[ But, then: ]

Do not worry.

Some days, I'd think I already have.

[He was here, and so was she and really that's all that matters. But he can't help the laugh at that, yes they were in a castle made of ice, with bears around.]

And your son never put a roof over part of his castle.

[That was probably not the best come back he could come up with but for now it works. And he shakes his head.]

You have a cut, I'll worry as much as I like. [Don't argue with him, Igraine, or so help him he will use one of the penguins to drag you upstairs.]

Allow me to reassure you, then.

[ Losing your patience does not equal losing your mind, Merlin. True, not the best of comebacks -- but it does seem to amuse her briefly. Even though it also reminds her that Arthur may not be here, so her smile falters.

At the mention of the cut, she reaches up to dab at it. How rude, don't threaten the former Queen with penguins. With a wince, as she's managed to find the wound: ]

And it is only that, a cut. It will heal.

I can hardly disagree if you say as much, can I?

[He would like to beg to differ, considering how her son can be. Sometimes he thinks he does lose his mind when dealing with him, or the entire world has. Him losing it is more likely.

When her smile falters his does as well, and he can't help the sympathetic wince when she touches the cut. And so help him, he will do what he wants. She's not the only Queen here, he will do what he wants with his former one.]

And you would never let me go with such a thing, let me take care of it.

Hardly. I am pleased you agree.

[ Alas, she can't -- or maybe refuses to, judge her son. It comes with not knowing him for most of his life. Trying as he might be, he will become a great King one day.

But he speaks the truth there. Had she seen him in such a state, she would fuss at him until he allowed her to tend to it. With a sigh, she directs a look at him. One that, while rare, he should know; she relents. ]

You know me well.

I'm glad you're here.

[Of course, and he doubts she won't judge the Arthur here either. He's her son, and King and as such, he doubts she'll say a word against him.

Sometimes he looks at his life and wonders why it is the way it is, really.

And he does, and he knows her well enough to know that look. It's enough to prompt him to squeeze her hands gently, before tilting his head to the side.]

I like to think I do, and if we can go, before a bear offers us a drink again or a penguin tries to take our cloaks, I think it would be wise.

And I, you.

[ Truth, all of it. Or, if she does feel the need to judge, it certainly won't be out loud. Looking somewhat relieved, she nods.

She'll just be taking his arm now, turning toward the direction he nodded to. The sooner they fled this scene, the better. At least that was how she saw it. ]

Yes, please. I thought you would never ask.

[He would just take her lead on this, the quicker the better for her then he would oblige. So he starts for the stares to his room.]

Not as if I'd leave you here to bears.

Ever the gentleman, Merlin.

[ Her smile is playful as she meets his walking pace, but soon she's leaning closer to whisper to him. ]

What are the purpose of the bears? If I may ask.

I try.

[And he's just as playful in return, leaning close to her to whisper in reply.]

I haven't the faintest idea, I just attempt to steer clear of them in case they become angry.

You mean, you have yet to anger them?

[ Her mock surprise is hardly meant to be taken seriously. ]

I have been on my best behavior.

[And that's said with false modesty, nodding.]

[ His false modesty is met with a familiar bit of laughter as she leans against him. ]

Oh, I do not believe that for even a moment!

[He looks hurt at her laugh.]

I'm still alive, aren't I?

And I am more thankful for that than you shall ever know.

[ When she looks up at him it is her eyes, more than her smile, that speak volumes. ]

Truly, Merlin.

[He's about to say something quippy, he can't help it, that's what he does after all, but when he sees her smile and her eyes he stops. She's one of the few that can really drive that point home for him, and for that he's ever thankful.]

And I am for knowing you, Igraine.

[ As they draw nearer to his room, she quietly finds his hand and twines their fingers together. From there, she draws the hand up to place a brief kiss just below his knuckles. ]

I may never claim your secrets or share your burden.. [ The later, or maybe both, attributed to him being a stubborn man. ]

But I, too, am honored to know you.

[He doesn't mind it at all, smiling just enough to show how much it means to him to hear that. He should mention Arthur and Morgana now, as his mind comes up with a quip about them and knowing how their mother is sleeping with a servant, but that's another tale, for another time.

He just turns the tables on her instead, kissing her knuckles.]

I'd never see you share my burden or secrets, you have your own.

[He just stops talking though before he gets overly emotional.]

[ Mentioning them might have saved him some grief in the future, but he wouldn't be Merlin without it. The returned gesture earns him a fond smile, one that he was more than just a bit familiar with. ]

I will always ask.

Though the magnitude may different, we all carry them both in one form or another.

[He really wouldn't, and this is better then what her son has pulled on them so, really he's allowed a lapse or two in judgement. But he takes that smile and nods.]

Of course, doesn't mean we have to share them. Some shouldn't be, and some are far too old to pass on.

[ Oh, look, she spies your room. Or at least the proper nameplate. ]

Some, yes, but not all. You keep far too many to yourself.

[It's his room alright but he shrugs at that.]

And I will keep doing so. There are reasons, though given time, I may, share a few.

[Will briefly wonders why it was that the castle was bringing in so many people during the current situation. But he quickly dismisses the thought for later. What was important now was providing some answers.]

Only if everyone else here has. Have you just now arrived in the castle?

[ She starts upon hearing the voice, clear up until the moment she discovers the source. This book? At this point, it doesn't seem quite as strange to her.

Perhaps, had she not seen the polar bears first.. ]

I have, but I do not know how.

That I can answer in a way. It is this castle. It is called Paradisa, and it has a mind and magic of its own. It brings us here from many different worlds and holds us here until a time of its own choosing.

Paradisa..

[ So, then, it had nothing to do with Morgan. It was reassuring, but only to a point. ]

Thank you. May I ask your name?

[ He is just a boy, she thinks. So she is more concerned about him for the time being. ]

My name is Will Stanton. I have been here in this castle for some months now.

It is a pleasure, Will.

My name is Igraine. [ Some months? Well, she doesn't like the sound of that. ] Has anyone from your home joined you?

[He blinks a little at her name. It was not a very common one.]

No, I am the only one here from my world.

I am sorry.

[ For the fact. After a moment, she continues. ]

Have you, then, made friends here?

Some, yes.I think you will find that there are many kind people here.

I look forward to meeting them.

[ Her tone is an amused one, next. ]

.. Though the bears will take some getting used to.

These bears are rather odd, aren't they? [Will regarded the whole situation with good humor.]

But I do not think that they will stay for long.

Quite. Granted, I had not been prepared for them. I accepted their gift but did not consume it.

[ Better to be safe than sorry, especially in a foreign kingdom. ]

Why do you think that?

The castle changes sometimes, but it never seems to last for long.

I feel I have yet to see the most surprising aspects of this castle.

[ Not liking this! But she does see a silver lining. ]

Though, seeing how helpful the residents can be fills me with hope.

I have been here for several months now, and was here for nearly half a year before that. And I do not think I have seen anywhere near everything that it is capable. But people still remain themselves. People with good hearts still gather together to watch over each other. And the opposite as well.

But that is as it has ever been and as it should be.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

♛ one

Action

Action forever!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[Dictated]

[Dictated forever]

Re: [Dictated forever]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject