[The added distance is quite fine. Merlin's come to expect such behavior from his student and lets go without comment, although he wonders. Don't humans (or human-raised beings) have a thing for touch? (He conveniently forgets to examine himself for the purposes of that question.)
And. Aha! Always pleasant to hear - and see! - signs of Watanuki still recalling old lectures baked into stories.]
Good guess, but no - this is a direct intervention. A Counter Guardian may act on behalf of the will of either the planet or humanity, but that doesn't mean the results are immediately favorable for those they visit. [Cath Palug - Primate Murder - is one such manifestation.] I believe they plan to send Masters into the affected time periods and correct its course.
["They are the ones we will also be supporting" remains unsaid.]
A few more years, give or take. You'll have a better chance of sussing out an accurate timeline than I. [This is said freely: he's not as fond of prophecies as he once was, and he's lost interest in seeing the future long ago. Generally speaking. It does take the fun out of some things.] As for the three earlier...
[He pauses, his smile turning into something more thoughtful. Ah, how to put this.]
Follow your instinct and keep out of Lev Lainur's head. [The man has three personalities. In other timelines, most of which Merlin has not looked into, the self-termination of one led to the failure - or delay, who knows - of the Incineration. The time for whether that incident shall come to pass is not yet come, but close.] You can work on the young lady if you wish, but...
Watanuki. [There is more to this, he suspects, but he doesn't have all the pieces. Not yet. By the time Marisbury Animusphere caught his attention, much of that man's plans were already set in motion. Including any designs that may have included his daughter.] She is an unhappy child who, frankly, can find peace once she stops chasing after her father's approval. Getting too attached... might not be advisable.
[Are those words enough? He remembers trying to sway Arturia's heart to spare her, but his strong-willed king had simply carried on with a smile not meant for herself, but for the people.
If Watanuki's angry at him after all this for not saying enough, well. Merlin knows he's not blameless for plenty of things, however indirectly.]
no subject
And. Aha! Always pleasant to hear - and see! - signs of Watanuki still recalling old lectures baked into stories.]
Good guess, but no - this is a direct intervention. A Counter Guardian may act on behalf of the will of either the planet or humanity, but that doesn't mean the results are immediately favorable for those they visit. [Cath Palug - Primate Murder - is one such manifestation.] I believe they plan to send Masters into the affected time periods and correct its course.
["They are the ones we will also be supporting" remains unsaid.]
A few more years, give or take. You'll have a better chance of sussing out an accurate timeline than I. [This is said freely: he's not as fond of prophecies as he once was, and he's lost interest in seeing the future long ago. Generally speaking. It does take the fun out of some things.] As for the three earlier...
[He pauses, his smile turning into something more thoughtful. Ah, how to put this.]
Follow your instinct and keep out of Lev Lainur's head. [The man has three personalities. In other timelines, most of which Merlin has not looked into, the self-termination of one led to the failure - or delay, who knows - of the Incineration. The time for whether that incident shall come to pass is not yet come, but close.] You can work on the young lady if you wish, but...
Watanuki. [There is more to this, he suspects, but he doesn't have all the pieces. Not yet. By the time Marisbury Animusphere caught his attention, much of that man's plans were already set in motion. Including any designs that may have included his daughter.] She is an unhappy child who, frankly, can find peace once she stops chasing after her father's approval. Getting too attached... might not be advisable.
[Are those words enough? He remembers trying to sway Arturia's heart to spare her, but his strong-willed king had simply carried on with a smile not meant for herself, but for the people.
If Watanuki's angry at him after all this for not saying enough, well. Merlin knows he's not blameless for plenty of things, however indirectly.]