001 - Video

[pratservant]

[It's a two-for-one special when the feed begins. The face in front belongs to a young man with dirty blond hair, aquiline nose and perfect jawline. And he seems to be shirtless.]

[The face peeking over his shoulder looks to be around the same age with dark hair and pale skin. Mostly ears and cheekbones beyond that. He's still stuck in one of

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[excessivehubris]

[That has got to be one of the more fascinating calls for help he's heard across the data pad since he arrived here.

Sitting up and looking at the mixed matched pair, Charles can't help chuckling at them.]

Prince Arthur of where?

[pratservant]

[No. Don't go.

It's almost pleading in tone.

But tell me what it means. Are you like me?]

[excessivehubris]

[His eyebrows lift, as usually people balk to having someone invading their mind but he gives the impression of settling back down, as if retaking a seat for a conversation, warm and non-threatening.

Merlin's question surprises him and though Charles was on the verge of giving a quick response to the negative when he stops himself. His disciplined mind hopefully keeps him from overwhelming Merlin as thoughts flash off at the speed of light.

Its not the craziest theory, what if Merlin was one of the very first mutations? It is a low process, I've written that myself, how many generations would we be talking ...

There is a brief period of time, when Charles begins to extrapolate on the theory, his scientific genius overriding his common courtesy and poor Merlin might get what amounts to gibberish about DNA and RNA. Quickly, however, Charles shifts his musings to a walled off part of his mind, flashing the pathway back to their 'conversation' as a bright, warm welcome so as to better protect Merlin.]

Sorry, you just bring up a

[pratservant]

[He has no idea what a mutant is, has never heard words like telekinesis before. But he tries to follow, understands enough to know that he's speaking of science, something Merlin always believed to be separate from magic.

You were born like this, then. Different.

He glances over at Arthur, realizes it must seem odd for him to just be staring at his device silently. Merlin is rarely silent.]

Do you know if they have any libraries here?

[What other powers do you have?

Almost boyish in his curiosity. Like he's asking to see Charles's baseball card collection. ...If he had the slightest idea of what that even was.]

[excessivehubris]

[As the brush of curiosity hits him, Charles shares images that marry up to the ideas of telekinesis to help define the word.

Yes, I was born with my mutation, all of us who are mutants, were born with our powers though it sometimes takes an emotional upheaval to trigger them into conscious thought.

When Merlin asks him a question verbally, Charles switches smoothly.]

Yes and they are magnificent. I've explored one so far and barely even scratched the surface but there is some interesting information to be found.

[His lips twitch at the question and he twitches an eyebrow up.

But then, were would I get my sense of mystery from?

The words are playful but there is a wariness to his tone. Not of Merlin himself but Charles has had to hide what he is capable of for so long, it's not an easy thing, to imagine sharing it all.]

[pratservant]

[Merlin's only heard voices before. The images are new and remind him a little of the Crystal Cave. He relaxes quickly enough though. What he's seeing isn't the future.

That. Yeah, he knows what that is. Merlin huffs a soft laugh before an image comes into his mind: a dark haired toddler who could barely walk, but could slide his cup of milk across the table. (Earning a worried glance from his mother.)]

Can you tell me where it is? I'd like to go there. I doubt I'll have as many chores to occupy myself with here. No horses and such.

[There's laughter, too loud and too sudden at that last thought.

Oh, believe me. Everything here's going to be a mystery for some time to come.]

[excessivehubris]

[The image, with the milk, has Charles laughing, though he has no sweet imagines with his own mother to share, so instead he sends a wash of approval for the industrious youngster Merlin had obviously been.]

I ... yes, hold on a moment, I think I can send you the directions across this datapad. Almost got the hang of this thing.

[And I do apologize. I fear I've upset Arthur.

And actually he's probably continuing to do so. Never let it be said that Charles makes anyone's life easier.]

[pratservant]

[More than. He didn't even throw anything.

Merlin knows. The little bursts of insults and tantrums that come from the prince are such superficial and fleeting things. But when he's really upset, he goes silent, more sadness than anger.

Merlin swallows and nods, pretending to be oblivious. It's easy. He's played the role of fool for a long time now.

He doesn't know about me. He can't know.

A wave of desperation follows the thought, rolling them over the same way his stomach flips.]

[excessivehubris]

[Inwardly Charles winces, recognizing that he's blundered in to it now.

Give me a moment ... ]

[pratservant]

[Merlin waits until he sees Arthur turn the device back on.

This is all magic to him. He's been raised to believe that it can only be used for harm. That it corrupts the person who uses it. His father condemns anyone associated with magic to death.

It's involuntary - the flash of a falling ax and a rolling head. The first thing Merlin saw when he arrived at Camelot.

Please be careful.]

[excessivehubris]

[After being in both Erik's mind and then Shaw's, particularly at the time of Shaw's death, Charles barely blinks at the mental image of the ax and rolling head. He returns a impression of understanding of the gravity of the situation and the desire to be respectful, if not exactly retreating.

Well, it is not magic I'm afraid, especially not in this place, which appears to give many the abilities that you and I live with naturally.

It is good that he's at least willing to entertain the idea of learning about it, if only to be able to shield himself against the intrusion of others.

Such as, well, Charles.]