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[onceandfutureprat]

[Spam for Merlin]

[The last Arthur remembered, he went to sleep in his room. The king pushed himself up on his elbows, scanning his surroundings. That was definitely not where he was now. For one thing, the bed he was on was... completely horrible and he only knew of one person that slept in this tiny, messy room. And that was--]

Merlin!



[Later; filtered to friends; one nice conversation rule applies]

I understand I... slept through a port. How are you doing?

[Private to Arya]

What did you do for the last week?

Comments

[Private]

[yeahscience]

You weren't there? [He's really struggling not to sound mad. He's been immediately, irrationally overprotective with every one of her wardens, and it's never ended up actually going well -- it usually just leads to weeks of fighting until they finally say they understand, and then they take off anyway like assholes.

So he's trying something new.]

[Private]

[onceandfutureprat]

Not exactly. I seem to have been in one of the comas that happen here.

[Private]

[yeahscience]

[Pause.] Okay. [This is possibly the most begrudging "okay" that has ever been uttered. But really, he's trying.]

But she's okay? She didn't-- I don't think she came to find me or anything.

[Private]

[onceandfutureprat]

[That's good because Arthur would snap at you if you were mad at him for being enchanted.]

She's okay.

[Private]

[yeahscience]

[HE'S TRYING NOT TO BE.]

Okay.

We should, like, talk sometime. About her.

[Private]

[onceandfutureprat]

I'm free now. [Though he isn't sure what there is to talk about.]

[Private]

[yeahscience]

[He needs to give you the third degree, bro.] Do you want to maybe get a beer, or...?

[Private]

[onceandfutureprat]

[That's not talking about Arya :|]

You want to meet in the tavern? [That's not really a question. He's judging you.]

[Private]

[yeahscience]

[He hears that, and his eyes narrow, voice gaining an edge.]

Uh, no, actually, I don't drink. I asked if you wanted to, 'cause that's where I usually met up with McCoy.

[Private]

[onceandfutureprat]

[Arthur doesn't drink either, they have that in common.]

One of the common rooms is fine.

[Private]

[yeahscience]

Fine. Five's got the shark? [He just likes looking at the shark.]

[Private] to spam?

[onceandfutureprat]

I'll meet you there then.

[Spam]

[yeahscience]

[He's waiting when Arthur arrives, and in deference to the occasion and the fact that Arya's warden appears to be a judgey little bitch he's not even smoking while he does. His hands are still smudged with ink from the port, signs of it around his collar as well, but the insanity is gone and he's watching the common room door with intent and purpose.]

Re: [Spam]

[onceandfutureprat]

[Arthur's just used to being the prince and now the king his whole life where he doesn't have to censor his thoughts that much. He's rude and dismissive without even realizing most of the time. He takes the time to shut the door behind him before turning to face Jesse.]

What is it you wanted to talk about?

[yeahscience]

Arya. Cat. J-- just, whatever, your inmate.

[onceandfutureprat]

[Don't get him started on the name thing.] What about her exactly?

[yeahscience]

I wanna... you know, know the game plan, is all. Like what's your big idea, here, 'cause the other two were not exactly making strides.

[onceandfutureprat]

She doesn't give a lot of ground, does she. [He's pretty sure they didn't have to deal with the crazy Arya that doesn't know what pronouns are either.]

[yeahscience]

Seriously. [He sighs, but not without fondness, rubbing the back of his neck.] So... okay, fill me in. What's the plan here?

[onceandfutureprat]

[Arthur's fond of her too, even when he complains about her. But he doesn't really have a plan, not in the sense that he's used to. Arya's not really a battle that he can win, or a creature to outsmart. And he's only going agreeing to discuss this because he knows that Jesse cares about Arya.

He's quiet for a moment, before crossing his arms over his chest.]

She's going to have to realize she isn't no one before anything can happen. I'd appreciate it if you at least call her by a name.

[yeahscience]

[Wow, imagine that: when he doesn't start things off yelling and making demands, they actually work with him. He tries not to look surprised.] I do. I still call her Cat if she lets me... Shadowcat when she's being all like defensive about it.

[He hesitates, but this stuff is important -- the whole reason he's here is because Arya's the most important thing on this ship to him.] I told her... you know, I don't care what the name is, as long as it's still her. That's all that matters.

[onceandfutureprat]

[Arthur doesn't think he has anything to worry about, when it comes to Jesse interfering with what he wants Arya to do. At least he isn't getting any bad feelings from this conversation.]

She needs friends like that. But you should be more firm. Call her Cat all the time, even if she gets mad at you.

[yeahscience]

Why? [He squints, genuinely curious.] I told you, it doesn't matter to me what she calls herself. Hell, I've had a whole bunch of different names. I mean, I get the point, but as long as there's some name there...

[onceandfutureprat]

It doesn't matter much to me what name she wants either. She's Cat to you. Make her remember that every time you talk. She changes her name to escape.

[yeahscience]

[Congratulations, Arthur: you are already quite probably the smartest warden Arya's had so far, in Jesse's book. He blinks owlishly as the light of what Arthur's saying dawns.] Yeah... okay, yeah. That's a good call, yo.