004: Blowing off steam

[prat_prince]

[Arthur is out in the forest today, working off some energy. And for Arthur, that means beating the hell out of a practice dummy that either he's managed to set up, or he's made Merlin set up for him. The straw dummy is cut nearly to pieces now, and Arthur is breathing heavily, so he's been out here awhile.]Why do so many people here seem to know

Comments

[Voice]

[consultmybooks]

It's not our place to tell you about your future. And considering that your future might in many cases affect ours', no one wants to tamper with things.

[Voice]

[prat_prince]

[[OOC: I'd originally had that as italicized thoughts, but it's all good. He can be musing aloud.]

Yes. I understand that. It's just... [He pauses and blows out a frustrated breath.] It gets awkward. "Oh, you're that Arthur?" I get it at home too, being a prince, but not like this.

[Voice]

[hotheadedidiot]

I'm with the Blue Rogues. What do you need to know?

[Voice]

[prat_prince]

Blue Rogues... yes, that was one of the names I heard mentioned. I need to know what your group does, who leads them, how they are organized... anything important like that.

[Voice]

[hotheadedidiot]

Well, uhh... Guess I better introduce myself first. I'm Stahn, First Mate of the Blue Rogues. Our leader's Adell. We're a defense force here in Luceti! When something goes wrong, whether there's an attack on the village, or an incident where people get hurt, or whatever, you can bet we'll be on the scene to take care of it!

How we're organized...? Well... Kinda like a pirate crew, I guess! I mean, that's what the original inspiration for our group was, but we don't go around stealing things from people! We've got crew members who can do different things, but everyone's also capable of fighting and defending. There's nothing like rank or seniority or anything like that. We're all pretty equal.

[Voice]

[prat_prince]

I see. So... a pirate crew who defends, rather than steals, and everyone is equal in rank. [He kind of likes the 'everyone is equal' bit... hmm, maybe keep that in mind for when he returns home.] I am Prince Arthur Pendragon. Would I need to meet with this Adell? Are there requirements for joining? I am skilled with the sword, lance, and mace, and I am first among the knights of Camelot at home.

[awaitingalbion]

[Merlin knows where Arthur is--he's set the dummy up for him, after all. So later that day he wanders back there. Really, he should be avoiding the Prince because that's how to avoid more work...but he heard the words over the journal and perhaps, just maybe, Arthur might need something more than someone to carry his equipment for him.]

Sire? [He hovers at the edge of the clearing, unsure.]

[prat_prince]

[Arthur stops and looks over his shoulder, relaxing slightly as he sees Merlin standing there.] Merlin. [He gives the dummy another half-hearted whack, but the thing is mostly in pieces now anyway. Finally, he lowers his sword and rubs his hand over his face.]

I don't like it here.

[awaitingalbion]

I'm not sure that many people do like it here, you know.

[prat_prince]

I realize that. I'm sure it's not meant to be liked. [Moving over closer, he flops down near the foot of a tree, resting his arms on his knees.]

It's just... strange. Too many people know me, or know of me. Am I really going to be that famous that people hundreds of years in our future have heard of me? I don't even know what I'm supposed to have done. I don't even want to know, really, but people keep saying "Oh, you're that Arthur" like I'm some great... legend or something.

[He looks at Merlin, hoping he'll understand what he's trying to say.]