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[foundfate]

["I want to be free of the ghosts to see. That is my wish: to not be burdened by them anymore."

"Unfortunately, I cannot grant that wish. But I can send you to someone who can grant it."

That answer gave Watanuki jack-all to go off of, though, and he was left standing in a field of pink flowers looking absolutely befuddled. How had he gotten there? Where was he in the first place? The flowers seemed to go on forever, and all that was around besides them was a floating tower in the sky.

Well, that seemed like Watanuki's best chance at getting an answer, so he tried to step in that direction, but found that his legs were tangled up in the flowers. He fount this out by tripping, somehow, and ending up face-first in the flowers with a yelp.]

What- why are they-

[Oh, to be tangled up in the Garden of Avalon. His sins weighed him down, and he didn't even know it.]

Comments

[foundfate]

[It's a heavy talk, but Watanuki can at least understand what Merlin is getting at. To some extent. He has no experience with loyalty and treason accusations like that, but following the rules and orders set out by those in charge is a pretty key part of life in Japan. Much like Watanuki wouldn't think to question a teacher, he could see why someone wouldn't question a king.

He hums thoughtfully, chewing on his own bite. He really doesn't have room to criticize the Round Table when he himself would have trouble speaking out.]

Is that the lesson that the stories of King Arthur are meant to teach? That intentions may be good, but you still need to have some control over your own life and not rely on a king for everything?

[myrdd]

[The question isn't one he expects, and he grins. Ah, of course - historical examples are used like that in the modern day, no?]

If that's what you get from it, I'm satisfied. No god or king holds sway over mortal lives these days to the same extent as before, so it's only fitting.

[foundfate]

That change must have happened for a reason. Sort of like how as a child grows they rely less on their parents, or something.

[The relationship between 'subjects' and 'ruler' isn't quite the same, but that's how Watanuki is imagining it. Nevermind that his memories of his own parents are fuzzy and difficult to recall. Most people rely on their parents until they are teenagers.]

[myrdd]

[That's a keen observation. Merlin's smile turns a touch secretive as he piles up more unagi and rice on his spoon.]

Or something, indeed. [it's complicated.] The fading of the Age of the Gods is reflected in mankind's history. Similar to, as you say, a child growing up.

[foundfate]

It must have changed a lot, from then to now. What was it like?

[Since Merlin is talking like he lived it.]

[myrdd]

It wouldn't be out of the norm for humans to encounter dragons and the fae. [And Arturia took one out. The dragon that Vortigern turned into. That's important. Not that he'll leave a hint yet.] And actual gods could walk the earth. One might, incidentally, dig a hole so deep they can reach the Underworld.

So yes - plenty of things have changed from then to now.

[foundfate]

You definitely can't dig a hole to the Underworld anymore. Subways would be in trouble if you could.

But it must have been amazing, to live in a time when you could happen upon a god. But it must have been scary too.

[myrdd]

"Subways..." Underground passages?

[Based on the word.]

Well I can't speak for humans, but it has its ups and downs. Especially if your local deities are the whimsical sort, which is often the case.

Why, do you want to live in a time like that?

[foundfate]

I don't think I would want to live there forever, no. But seeing it would be interesting.

[And maybe he wouldn't feel so out of place, as someone who can see ghosts.]

[myrdd]

It might be. [that's also how the fae get you.] Ah, just remember that "interesting" isn't always the same as "comfortable," hmm?

[The sentiment to not be out of place is something Merlin can actually understand, aware as he is of his status as an inhuman being walking amongst mortals. Well, previously walking amongst them, but you get the drift.

...is it just him, or did the dish taste just a little better after that conversation? Anyway, he's halfway through, and and his enjoyment of it hasn't stopped. But on the topic of seeing.]

I suppose an illustration might be useful, if you're to learn the difference between how magic was used then and now.

[foundfate]

[I mean, a fae already has him technically. Merlin kind of counts?]

Of course not. If I wanted to be comfortable, I wouldn't have agreed to come here in the first place.

[Watanuki is willing to trade current comfort for future relaxation, basically. Work hard now, reap the rewards later. The rewards being 'not bothered by ghosts'.]

I guess asking how it's different won't help much, huh? It's one of those 'you have to see it to understand' things?

[myrdd]

[Merlin does, indeed count.

The declaration that Watanuki can forego comfort is still a pleasant surprise even if Merlin's aware of the circumstances that drove him to take drastic action - change is, by nature, uncomfortable, and not all humans are willing to leave the familiar.]

It is, indeed. It'll also help you understand why the way I teach magecraft is different from what you might encounter from particular institutions, who've tried to make up for the difference by going down a more scientific route.

Maybe this evening as a bedtime story of sorts.

[He's teasing a bit.]

[foundfate]

A bedtime story. About the different ways to teach magecraft.

[He sounds incredulous, because really? That doesn't sound like a bedtime story at all. And Watanuki is too old for bedtime stories anyway.]

You might as well just read me a science journal to get me to sleep.

[myrdd]

You're going to eat those words later. I am, after all, a particularly experienced storyteller.

[For what is a myth but another form of story? And for every one Merlin is happy to share, even more remain hidden.]

[foundfate]

If you think you can make it interesting enough to keep my attention, then you're welcome to try.

[Watanuki still seriously doubts Merlin can do it though. Watanuki does want to learn, yes, but it isn't exactly the kind of thing that would lull him to sleep.

Also, he's finishing up the last few bites of his meal, and then he's getting up to take care of his dishes.]

[myrdd]

Oho.

[Challenge accepted!

When he said "illustration" earlier, he meant to include illusions. Now he's also in the mood to go over the top.

Do you know what you just got yourself into, Watanuki? Do you?

Merlin's bowl follows shortly after, an he braces his chin on his palm, watching as the dishes are done.]

You like being hard to impress, don't you?

[foundfate]

[He has no idea, but he will quickly learn.

He's also scoffing at that statement.]

It's not being 'hard to impress', it's believing in what you see.

[myrdd]

Really.

Then how about this?

[Don't look now, Watanuki, but there's a giant sunflower looming over you and blocking the light.]

[foundfate]

I believe you have the magic to make me see things that aren't real.

[He says that without even looking up at the sunflower. He is deadass staring at Merlin.]

[myrdd]

[Very good. The sunflower, however, is staying on for amusement and decoration.]

And I'm one of the best at it!

More to the point: the mind is very talented at interpreting things as "real." On the other side of the coin, you have very real things that aren't seen. So really, it's not as clear cut as one might prefer it to be. The sooner you realize this, the easier it might be for you to learn certain aspects of magic that only work through internal logic.

That said - it's equally good to have a healthy dose of skepticism lest someone pull one over you.

[foundfate]

Someone like you, you mean.

[Just. Pointing that out.]

And you know, you could probably say this thing- [He pokes at the sunflower while not looking at it.] -is currently real. Even if it was made by magic, it's real right now.

[He was being petulant, but that was actually one of the defining questions of Watanuki's whole existence. He just didn't know it yet.]

[myrdd]

From your perspective, it may well be.

But from mine, there's still a difference between casting an illusion and making something from magic.

[It just so happens that they tend to overlap when Merlin's involved and he doesn't typically bother pointing out which is which. Moreover, that overlap is also important when he uses both skills in tandem... but really, that a whole other tangent he won't get into to stay on track.]

[foundfate]

And which one did you do here?

[POKE POKE is the Sunflower real or an illusion?

It's just delaying Watanuki's response a bit, but he needs to know.]

[myrdd]

[The sunflower wobbles.]

Take a guess, o student mine.

[It's an illusion to illustrate the whole "believing what you see" thing, but this might as well be a teaching opportunity with that new question.]

[foundfate]

[He will try to grab the sunflower by the stem, then. Time to pick it up and use it to whack Merlin on the head, if he can.]