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guiltrip2023-06-12 11:33 am
killerwaves) wrote in guiltrip2023-06-12 11:33 am
WEEK 5
WEEK FIVE
21 Vacationers
The weekend sure was something, wasn't it? Tempers flared, explosions burst, and some were treated to an immersive sand bath experience. Come Monday at least, things seem quieter though not in the unnatural still way—the distortions on the islands have receded sometime in the night (with some impressive firework-like booms that may have stirred your sleep, at that; and the waves seem a little higher this morning) and the various amenities on the island have been made orderly again. Though, as always, some traces remain in the landscape; the waterfall looks like it has seen better days, though it's no longer in danger of coughing up debris on your head if looked at wrong.
This week like the rest brings new locations for you to explore, on Kakapo's Nest though it seems like only one of them really fits the vacation vibe. Hope you like snow!
!WEATHER ALERT:
Bulletin:
Starting Monday morning and continuing throughout the week, pollen counts will be elevated. This is expected to last until late Thursday
Starting Monday morning and continuing throughout the week, pollen counts will be elevated. This is expected to last until late Thursday
!TASKS:
Breathe Freely:
Enjoy the great outdoors with a fellow vacationer! It's never too late to appreciate nature.
(REWARD: RARE!)
(( Yes, only one task this week which is memshare with someone else. Have fun!
REMINDER: Task submissions are due Friday by 9 PM EST/6 PM PST. ))
(( OOC: Murder proposals are due by Tuesday at 4 PM EST / 1 PM PST, for the current week's murder, which is the last week of standard murder, week 6 being endgame!!Enjoy the great outdoors with a fellow vacationer! It's never too late to appreciate nature.
(REWARD: RARE!)
(( Yes, only one task this week which is memshare with someone else. Have fun!
REMINDER: Task submissions are due Friday by 9 PM EST/6 PM PST. ))
Also, as always, your admins can be contacted for a chat. ))
For Wei Wuxian (Sword in the Stone)
The current place is special. Indeed, one can say it is nothing less than noteworthy, it seems. Stones encircle the area, with grassy plains that stretch as far as the eye can see, and in the midst of it all...
No one can be mistaken by the sight. It is the one and only—the veritable sword in the stone.
A certain white-cloaked figure watches this, hidden in seemingly plain sight, yet invisible to those who are unable to perceive his presence, as a myriad in attendance vent their frustrations.
A crowd is also present, of people having hoped to witness someone pulling the sword from the stone. Yet, even though they're not a part of the knights who are attempting to succeed in what appears to be a fruitless endeavor—that is, being unable to lift a blade from where it has been embedded into rather sturdy rock—they have their own hopes as well. Those of which seem to become dashed as knight after knight, boy after boy, man after man attempts to pull the weapon out, but to no avail.
Here is where the talk starts, whispers rising above murmurs.
"Are there no knights in this country who bear the hallmark of a king?"
It appears that the seed of doubt has started. Yet, the person who is part of this memory can only feel a sense of amusement. Humans are always such interesting creatures. No matter the situation, push them a certain direction, and their reactions can vary. Unpredictable, but delightful all the same.
...These thoughts, however, clearly do not belong to the one who is observing the mage who thinks of himself as just an observer right now. Yet, it seems someone else is speaking up once again... ]
no subject
Anyway.
Wei Wuxian hangs back on the edge of the crowd, near that cloaked figure. He spares a glance towards Merlin before his gaze slides back to the crowd, his hands behind his back as he watches. So this is how they decide their king? It makes sense, he supposes, if they want someone to gain access to the throne through divine rights.
As someone speaks up, Wei Wuxian looks around for the source of the voice. ]
no subject
But then, that person speaks up again, tone now bitter than not, "...then again, was Merlin's prophecy even true in the first place?"
The doubts of the people seem to make the attending knights uneasy; at least even if the judgment is made by Merlin, it is obvious from the way they carry themselves as well. They decide to more or less put on a showing of sorts. Perhaps...to mend their own pride as well.
Merlin himself seems rather unbothered by this turn of events. If anything, judging by the slight upturn of his lips, he seems to find something amusing about it. After all, he's a being far from human, and at this point in time, seeing the results of people going up against a steep challenge is proving to be something worth a form of entertainment.
One of the knights declares, "Whatever the case, there are so many knights gathered here. There are many ways to choose a king. The best one will succeed Uther as king of the knights, inheriting from the previous king."
The knights begin to talk about setting up a joust, a tournament to decide who is 'heir to the throne'. Not surprising to Merlin. They were just simple men, after all.
Meanwhile among all these people are also two towards the back, a blond-haired young lady who is dressed like young males of her age. Another is a taller male beside her, and for some reason, Merlin has his attention on them.
The taller man is also displeased by the stormy look on his face...even as the young lady hands him his spear. She asks, "Brother Kay, is the chosen sword not good enough? Is that why it's going to be ignored?"
He simply says that it's not a matter of good or bad, and that it is only a nuisance, spouting the fact that the knights have decided upon a tournament, as well as the fact that this conclusion is one the knights have found themselves relieved with instead of the obvious possibility. When she questions this, this 'Kay' seems to brush her off, saying, "We don't have time to dream with Merlin and Uther. It's more humane to judge by how many men, money, and the power you have now then with some invisible proof of the king..."
...Merlin yawns and rubs at one of his ears as Kay starts his lecture. The feeling that arrives that he thinks this man is just saying things that are boring is clear to him. People may still be people, but this man is saying a lot of substance that doesn't change anything.
The man begins to make his way away from the blond-haired woman, even as he continues speaking, rounding it off with, "...No matter who you are, you don't need to see or be the 'agent of the god who saves everything'."
Then, of course, he's telling her to go home.
The other people follow Kay's lead in exiting, finally making their way out of the area, apparently also seeing no point, leaving the young woman alone with the sword in the stone.
She steps towards it, and silently, wraps her hands around the trapped blade. As there is a slight, but apparent movement, Merlin steps forward into sight at last, saying, "You should think twice before picking that up."
Whirling around, Merlin can only be amused to see how surprised she was, but then after a pause, he decides that he should say some more. With a mischievous and mysterious smile, the Mage of Flowers speaks again, words spoken in that gentle tone of his, but somehow without a single bit of warmth, "In fact, I'll even give you some helpful advice, and tell you to stop while you're ahead.
Once you pick that sword up, you will no longer be able to live the life of a human being until the end.
Finally, you will be resented by all if you accept that burden, and you will die a miserable death."
Merlin wonders, exactly, simply how she will take these facts? The answer is simple. She will likely turn away. The prophecy he delivered would cripple just about anyone. Such is human nature.
...Either way, such words, such thoughts are quite comforting, aren't they? Yet, seeing as the memory has not yet ended, there is no choice but to be witness to what may happen next, yes? ]
no subject
Hm.
Resented by accepting a burden... it hits a little bit too close to home for him, and he can't help but inch forward to see how the woman responds.
Is she going to take it on? ]
no subject
It appears that Merlin's words have stopped her completely; while it is true that neither of them know one another at this moment, he knows the amount of magnitude his say have. After all, as a mage of great renown, it is well-known that his prophecies, his words of warning...
They are all rooted in a truth that can't be denied. Not when he is speaking them earnestly, even if a playful smile can be easily read upon his face. If he presents one, it isn't with a sense of light-heartedness.
Nor is it a matter of simplicity. It just is how it is.
But at the same time, these words are not something Merlin must have given to her. Unnecessary, in a sense. At the heart of the matter, he doesn't consider them to be spoken out of any concern for a stranger. He is a creature who feels nothing truthfully for anyone; emotions belong foremost to humans, not something like him.
At least, this is his own thoughts, intent on running away from the thought of personally investing in anyone. It is a truth he'll blind himself to however long it'll be. As it is, he's already thinking of departure day from this, certain that he'll be awaiting another potential worthy person. The question is, will he speak the very same words if another candidate so happens to present themselves?
"No."
Merlin blinks as he's busted straight out of his own thoughts. Still startled, he can only ask, "Are you sure?"
He can already see it. Those who will impetuously rise their blades against their rightful king in a distance future so far off. But, he doesn't, not truthfully.
She just simply nods, determined written across her face.
'A king is one who kills the most in order to protect everyone.'
Merlin doesn't have to wonder if that is a thought running across her head at the moment. It is surely certainly something she's thinking right about now. But, it's not the only thing, unbeknownst to him.
That drive...
There's a sudden change in their surroundings. The sound of metal scrapping against stone—
With a smile of her own, the soon-to-be King draws the sword from the stone, holding it proudly in her hands as the wind ruffles their clothing, and stirs the grass in the gentle breeze. Merlin plays on looking annoyed, turning his head away briefly as he sighs, asking rhetorically, "Ahhh, you’ve drawn the sword? You've chosen the painful path, haven't you?"
Yet, he's actually more than happy in the end, that she has made this choice at all. This sort of outcome is something he hasn't foreseen, so it's also entertaining, or rather, quite interesting to him. Indeed...the path forward is something that will be full of trials and tribulations. But only one she can forge ahead.
Still, he's here as well. So, what can he do but offer her something else as well?
"...Even still, miracles require a necessary price."
Merlin's expression shadows as it becomes unclear what he's talking about. The sword in the stone? Her future ahead? Something else...?
But then he asks, "O, King Arthur, would you trade for a miracle what you hold as the most precious?"
It is without question that this young woman, who will take on the role of King Arthur, will give up what it means to be "human" and be reborn into the Once and Future King. So, right away, the other woman opens her mouth, to answer in the affirmative...
This is the start of the legend, and he will guide her from beginning to end. No matter what happens.
No matter the consequences.
...And just like that, the memory comes to an end. ]
no subject
He sighs, speaking aloud just on the off-chance Merlin is hanging around. ]
Merlin... how could you leave me with a memory like this but no opportunity to discuss it? Perhaps we can when I bring you back as one of my own personal ghosts.