first; dictated

[magicus]

[ This isn't his castle, and he should probably be more concerned, but after the last few weeks - well, it's the least of his worries. Besides, magical intervention isn't exactly a foreign concept to Merlin, so when the journal announces its presence to him by opening with an insistent rustle of its pages, his curiosity wins out over suspicion. The voices are startling, and the writing, but he can't pretend he's not impressed. And, because there's nobody around to call him foolish for talking to a book- ]

Hello?

[ And that's him on the page. Strange, but he adjusts quickly. It's hardly more invasive than people (or dragons) being in your head, after all. ]

Is there anyone who can tell me where I am? Write it, speak it - this is magic, isn't it?

[ And being in an unknown castle where apparently magic's allowed is surreal enough for him to try something that even he thinks is foolish, but he swears he saw the name "Pendragon" on one of those pages. ]

I come from a place with magic, but it's nothing like this. It's called Camelot. If you've heard of it, or if you've been there - if I've even left it, actually, and if I haven't I must look like a complete prat, but - I'd love to hear of it.

[ Then an awkward pause, because he's not quite sure what etiquette for magical books is. ]

Thank you?

( OOC: Edit to say 4th walling is fine, but if it involves other members of the cast, filters might be best! )

Comments

[kingsgambit]

[Magic and Camelot, Merlin's two favorite things. Sort of. Kind of.

No he really is just going to be annoyed now at how many people are showing up from there, when he answers. He doesn't recognize this voice so it has to be from either Morgana's Camelot or another one entirely.] This isn't Camelot, and the book isn't going to say you're welcome.

[magicus]

[ Now that's a bit rude. Merlin's smiling, somehow amused despite the off-putting response, but there's no pretending there isn't a patronizing hint to his tone. ]

Well, I was more expecting the person on the other end to say you're welcome. [ It's basic manners, you know. ] What do you know of Camelot?

[kingsgambit]

[Rude is what he does best, and his good manners are shot after dealing with Royalty Drama (tm). And he sounds amused.]

Not many like being polite over these things. [Tap tapping on the journal now, yup.] As for Camelot? I know a great deal, or very little, depending on what your Camelot is like.

[quits]

You've been brought to a castle in a place called Paradisa. There is what some would consider magic -- the journal is transmitting your voice to anyone that has this particular page open at the moment. It also transcribes it, to make sure anyone can still communicate with you after a while.

[She's heard of Camelot, but she's not really sure she can explain how.]

I'm Pepper Potts, I've been brought here too, along with another three hundred or so other people.

[magicus]

[ He's not quite sure if he should find all of this fascinating or be disturbed at how much this sounds like kidnapping. Maybe a bit of both. He sounds enthusiastic and grateful, but there's a solemn edge to it. Even if this is somewhat of a welcome distraction for him, he imagines it isn't the same for others. ]

Brought here? Did none of us come willingly?

And thank you. I'm Merlin - it's very nice to meet you. Or maybe it isn't, considering the circumstances. [ Kidnappings do tend to put a damper on introductions. ]

[kryptonian]

This definitely isn't Paradisa... and I wish I could do a better job at welcoming you, but I've only been here a few days, too.

[magicus]

[ Some people might find the non-answer unhelpful, but he sounds genuinely grateful for any response. ] I'm sure you know more than you think. If you've been here a few days, that's a few more days than I have.

What kingdom did you come from?

[scinlae]

[ She knows that voice, she knows that voice. For a time she is silent staring at the journal as her mind races and screams; it's him it's him it's him it's HIM!

No, she thought the castle was done with him. She had hoped the castle was done with him.

Anger pulses through her, a poison so familiar that clung desperately to her being, but also relief─something old and unwanted, something she thought she had buried underneath a pile of ash alongside the girl she had used to be. But the Lady Morgana keeps clawing her way back up, reshuffling who and what she is supposed to be. ]

Merlin? [ His name is choked out, relief and anger and disgust clinging to the single word like a drowning man to driftwood. Curse the castle, curse it and all it's schemes. ]

[magicus]

[ He barely even hears it, but there's no pretending it was imagined. He knows that voice, and it'd be a lie to say this was the first time he'd heard it since he'd pulled the sword from her body.

He hears it often in his dreams, nightmares, and it's enough to make his blood run cold. Perhaps it's an answer as to where he is, though. Dreaming or dead? Either way, it's not what he expected.

There's delay before he responds, and when he does his voice is calm, measured. ]

Morgana. I suppose we aren't in Camelot, then.

Dictated

[save_the_souls]

[Allen recognizes that voice, from the times that Merlin had been here before. Sure, they were never close but he saw and spoke to him enough to know who it is. So yeah, have a young sounding british voice coming from the journal]

Merlin?

[magicus]

[ He wasn't expecting this. To be recognized, maybe, but not by an unfamiliar voice. He's hesitant when he replies, but his tone remains mostly curious. ]

Yes? I'm sorry, have we met?

[rogueofheart]

[Because no one's said it yet]

:33 < youre welcome!
:33 < welcome to purradisa
:33 < and yes this is definitely magic

written; phew no texting he's not ready for that

[magicus]

[ That gets a bemused grin. ]

And thank you for the you're welcome! Is it spelled p-u-r-r? I wouldn't have assumed by the way people pronounce it. Are you familiar with magic?

[lightbranded]

[Will simply stares at the journal for a long time. Of Camelot and magic... Was this another from one of those other worlds that had those similarities to his own? He was beginning to wonder just how many of these worlds had once had a place named Camelot. At last he answers in a thoughtful voice.]

It is magic of a sort. Though not, I think, like anything you have encountered before.

I know of Camelot, though I have never been there myself. But I think there are others here who could answer you better about that.

[magicus]

[ For some reason he's surprised to hear a child speak, though he really shouldn't be. It's not like he knows what to expect here. But if people are here against their wills, then it's hardly a reassuring development. ]

No, I'm sure you're right. Where I'm from, most magic requires - effort. It's not often that objects have so much of it.

I'm also sure you know more than you think; anything's better than nothing. What have you heard of it?

[reigne]

[...He stops short when he hears that voice, and for entirely different reasons from Morgana. It's been months since he's been pulled here, since he's had nothing about him that was familiar- nothing save Morgana, and that was hardly a comfort.

And while Merlin's duties were beneficial, if he were truly honest with himself, something he isn't always, he'd admit that he'd missed Merlin. His annoying prattle and his penchant for arguing and his constant presence.

But there's something odd about this. Least of all that Merlin simplifies the matter by stating Camelot has magic, rather than their world. The last thing Arthur ever would allow in his home, is magic.

He can barely stomach the use of this book, and it has...It's advantages. He settles on a neutral reaction, for the moment. It's safest he supposes, until he finds out more about where and when, Merlin is]

You're late.

don't call him crazy doN'T DO IT...

[magicus]

[ This was what he'd wanted - that glimpse of a familiar name to have something behind it. But it was beyond a foolish hope, one he'd cast aside as soon as he'd had it. It was denial, his refusal to accept destiny and move on as he was meant to; or so he'd convinced himself. So when he hears that voice, everything stops.

He'd lost people before, and some tired, bitter part of him had started to notice a pattern - there was no way to separate the good memories from the bad. Not with Freya, not with his father, not with Lancelot. His best memories of them were too intimately entwined with the ones that made it harder to process, to let go. But Arthur was the worst; those words he'd always wanted to hear, that acceptance and honesty between them - he would never lose that, wouldn't want to, but it would always be stained by the memory of Arthur's pale face.

But he's here. Merlin has no idea what that means, if he's somehow ended up in the spirit world (which isn't really a blessing, he knows, there's always a catch), but he doesn't care. And when he finally manages to speak again, all he can do is grin like an idiot and get out one breathless, thrilled word. ]

Arthur.

dictated;

[ensorceler]

[ And watch her treat you so much better than that OTHER Merlin... ]

You come from the legendary Camelot, milord, truly? Oh, I would be more than honoured to show you about Paradisa, but I think many others have jumped to the cause.

[magicus]

[ Well, that's new. He's not often (ever) called "milord", and he's not sure if he's more flattered or startled. ]

No, actually, you're the first - and I do, but - just Merlin. Trust me, I'm nobody's lord. But you've heard of Camelot? What kingdom do you come from?

( dictated forever )

[emboldens]

Yes, it is magic.

.. Camelot? [ His voice doesn't sound familiar at all but, even before she thinks on it further, she has an idea that he may be from a world similar to Arthur's. Perhaps they even come from the same Camelot. ]

As you have already been informed, you are no longer there. I was certain that I knew everyone who chose to call Camelot home, but I cannot place your voice.

May I ask your name?

[magicus]

[ It's a familiar voice - not literally, of course. He doesn't know who this woman is, but her tone and her phrasing is much less abrupt than the others. It's a small comfort, even if he's convinced he doesn't miss home. ]

Do you know what sort of magic? I've never seen so much in one object. [ A pause. ] Well, maybe once or twice, but it's rare.

But my name is Merlin, and - thank you for answering. You're... ?

[inafadingcrown]

[Oh. Oh. She will be watching that conversation with Morgana with interest. You have her intrigued already.]

I am sure you have been informed of the magic of this place many times over by now. Yet I would wager you have questions still. I would answer them, if I am able.

[magicus]

[ Someone tell him this castle of spies, already. He's going to regret this later. ]

I have, but - thank you. [ To say he has questions still would be an understatement. There's a pause, both thoughtful and something else, because most of his questions now are directly related to some messy reunions. ]

Is it true that people can come here from the same place, yet have different memories? Does it happen often?

[staggeringego]

[ Well that certainly gets James' attention. ]

You're from Camelot? Well, I hate to tell you this, but I think you've figured out that you're quite a ways away now. At at castle called Paradisa, since you asked.

[magicus]

So I've been told - a castle we can't leave, apparently. At least not far. Is that true?

And what do you know of Camelot? Have you ever been there? [ He's not sure if he wants a yes or no to that one, not after meeting a second him and Morgana here. ]