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halfbloodhill2013-12-16 09:21 pm
first complaint ♔ IM / ACTION
[ All right, so this wasn't exactly how Arthur planned on spending his Christmas break, but with tensions running high between himself and his father he thought it for the best. Probably. ("You're seventeen, Arthur; a mere boy. What could you possibly think you know?") So, at least for the time being, this son of Aphrodite is back ...
And he's not feeling particularly Christmassy. Sorry, gang.]
For Christ's sake ...
[ Because his father's cussing has rubbed off on him despite his own exposure to other gods and goddesses. ]
Is all of this really necessary? Some of us have more than enough garish decor in our cabins all year round.
[ And this is the problem with Arthur Pendragon. He's charismatic and gorgeous, yes - he's a child of Aphrodite, how could he not be - but when he's in a bad mood? He becomes the most impossibly catty grouch. By 'this' he's of course referring to the festive spirit spreading throughout the camp: decorations and such like that he's certain everyone could live without. ]
Anyway. Since it seems I'm back here for the hols ... [ Arthur pinches the bridge of his nose for a moment. Right now he's the pictorial definition of a First World Problem - Chanel cardigan and all. ] ... Let's all try to be a bit more considerate of those who don't fancy snowball fights and sweets, shall we?
[ OOC: So! Since Arthur's new to the game but has been coming here since he was 13, I'm more than happy to go ahead with almost any and all assumed cr. This post is just him being a grump (nothing new), he'll be find in a few days (again, nothing new), so feel free to have your character just eye-roll and shove a gingerbread man in his mouth. Action tags are very welcome: he'll be hanging around the Aphrodite Cabin / loitering at the pegasi stables. Have at him! ]
action.
Not that Merlin didn't give as good as he got. At least he tried to.]
Oi.
[He repeats the word flatly, and it's clear from the look on his face that he's turning it over in his head, looking for a deeper meaning. Who says oi? It's not what the fox says. Merlin's eyes focus on the other boy's face again.]
Are you a punk rocker or something?
action.
[ Whatever that is. Arthur doesn't understand Merlin's roundabout reference - he's never listened to so much as a second of punk rock in his whole life. ]
I'm just an Arthur, actually. Terribly sorry to disappoint.
[ He lifts an eyebrow. ]
And you didn't answer me. What's your name?
action.
Nah. You'd look like an idiot with a mohawk.
[He sighs heavily as he stands and brushes off his backside. It's relief more than anything, because this is familiar, this back and forth with a boy who could put him in the dirt. He can build on this.]
I'm Merlin.
action.
[ Have a pointed look, Merlin, although one with little heat. If he's implying you look like an idiot it's with less conviction then it's possible he doesn't really mean it. Still, Arthur frowns over his name before repeating it on a huff; ]
Merlin.
[ Well, that's a new one. Arthur watches sceptically as he dusts himself down: he's not seen someone look so resigned to their fate in a long, long time. ]
Sorry - boring you, am I?
[ He folds his arms across his chest. ]
Don't you have chores to be doing? In case you hadn't noticed, Merlin, this isn't a bloody lounge.
action.
What's that, Zeus? I know I'm a bit new to this and all, but you don't look like Zeus to me.
action.
[ But his eyes are wide with sarcasm, and besides, they've already played the name game. The tail end of an eyebrow lifts a little way. ]
New. Well, that explains it.
[ He mirrors that once over, not even subtle with his disdain. ]
So you thought you'd just play hooky in the stables, did you?
action.
[Merlin walks over to one of the stalls to look in at the creature it houses. He might be able to control the rest of his expression, but his eyes are full of the wonder of someone seeing such a beautiful, mythical creature for the first time. He extends his hand slowly, holding his breath as the pegasus comes closer.]
Hi beautiful.
action.
[ Arthur follows Merlin across to the stall as though he's concerned he's going to do something unimaginably stupid. People do all sorts of silly things around pegasi and horses, and nearly all of them involve barging into their space uninvited. ]
Be careful—
[ But he seems to have half an idea of what he's doing, so Arthur merely frowns and oversees by his side. ]
Then why were you curled up on the floor?
action.
[He whispers it, keeping his voice soft and soothing until his fingers just barely make contact with a velvet nose.]
And I wasn't curled up.
[Merlin gives his skinny shoulders a shrug.]
I just needed some time to myself, is that a crime or something?
action.
[ Arthur's response is curt - too curt for a seventeen year-old. Another habit he's picked up from his father. ]
Although next time I might try a place that isn't full of animals that spook easily.
[ But really, there's not much that's overtly spooky about Merlin. He seems positively soft around the pegasi. ]
action.
[Merlin slides his hand down underneath the animal's chin.]
Do you have a carrot or a sugar cube or something?
action.
You shouldn't spoil them.
[ But it's a ridiculous comment: Arthur spoils them like crazy himself, and besides, he's the one who came equipped with sugar cubes in the first place. He tips two into Merlin's hand. ]
She rode well today. You can give her one extra.
action.
[Merlin offers the sugar on his palm, laughing when a rough tongue licks against it.]
Feels weird. How high can she fly?
action.
[ But sometimes Arthur wishes he could; wishes he could soar away above the world and never have to look back. ]
How high do you usually go?
[ Have an expectant look. Surely it's not wrong of him to assume Merlin rides too, right? ]
action.
I've never ridden.
[Ever.]
action.
What, never? Not even a horse?
[ Because everyone had some kind of pony ride at the beach when they were little, didn't they? ]
action.
No one has horses where I live, everyone uses cars.
[Merlin draws back, something new just occurring to him.]
Do you fox hunt?
action.
Occasionally, although I vastly prefer deer. They're much more ...
[ What's the word he's looking for. His expression turns thoughtful for a moment. ]
Useful?
[ Mm. Venison. He perks up a little at the thought. ]
The meat is incredibly low fat, too.
action.
Why not just...go through a drive-thru. I bet they'd let you do that on a horse.
action.
I doubt you can get drive-thru venison, Merlin. Even in America.
action.
action.
action.
action.
[ No. Whipped cream and chocolate and marshmallows is more his thing, not that Merlin needs to know. ]
action.
[Merlin wipes his palm against the leg of his jeans after the pegasus has finished with the sugar cubes.]
action.
action.
action.
action.