foundfate | private psl

[That's not affection, but an anti-meddling measure.]

Let me put it this way: the Space-Time Witch's Shop is between worlds, and Avalon exists on a layer of reality separated from the one you came from. The time difference may not be strictly equivalent - indeed, when you step out of the Shop, the world you were in might not have moved on in any significant manner.

[The more important question, really, is how Watanuki will reconcile the person he'll become to the one he was. Returning to the place of one's origin isn't always coming home.]

[You keep telling yourself that, Merlin.]

Ah. I guess that helps with that. Though it might be strange for me to show back up a decade older.

[17 to 27 is an important time for growth! Watanuki will definitely look older than his classmates.]

Unless you're going to say I won't age here too.

[He's not even thinking of how much his personality will change in that time.]

[...ahh. About that.]

This is the eternal Utopia that neither the decay nor destruction of the planet's surface can reach. A paradise that humans can only hope to imagine.

[Don't make him spell it out.]

Edited 2021-02-05 14:26 (UTC)

An eternal Utopia, huh? That must be why Avalon was seen as an afterlife.

[He gets the idea.]

Something like that.

What do you plan on doing once you return, anyway?

Well, I'll have to finish school, I guess. And once I have my degree then I can start working? I don't know, I never really thought about it that much.

['It' being 'his future'. And actually now that Merlin has planted that thought in his mind, he's feeling a little unsettled. What is he going to do once he returns?]

[..........

Still stuck in thinking about a boring old routine, eh? Merlin supposes that it is only their second day. Of course, if that's the kind of ending Watanuki can honestly say he wants after everything's said and done, that's fine, too.

Emphasis on "honestly."]

How fortunate that you now have more than ample time to think about it.

Shall we see to your next lesson?

Right, right.

[And so time passes in Avalon, with two men working on magic and everyday living in the unchanging garden. A daily regiment of training, cleaning, and cooking keeps Watanuki occupied most of the time, though he does still have ample chances to be salty about Merlin's Everything. Interestingly, it changes from "harsh reactions" to "a tolerance of a known gremlin" as the months pass.

Watanuki's magic lessons are slow going too. He's trying, but there's some hefty mental blocks on Watanuki, and working around those takes time and effort. Watanuki is quickly becoming accustomed to waking up on the floor, and he's started to assume that he is just overworking himself. Merlin can know the truth though, that tripping one of those mental blocks means naptime for Watanuki. And given that he usually forgets what he was doing just before passing out, it's probably best to avoid setting them off.

Family. His past before he was 8. The fact that his name is strange and probably not his original name. The fact that he can't taste his own cooking. These are all touchy subjects when it comes to keeping Watanuki awake, and they are best avoided.

It is slow going, but it's not without some kind of progress. And if Merlin keeps peeking in on Watanuki's dreams, he will see the first sign of those latent powers waking up about six months after Watanuki's arrival. Because Watanuki isn't dreaming about cooking, or school, or being chased by ghosts. Tonight, he's dreaming about a future Merlin probably can already see coming. A time in an old city, run by a rough king, fighting a seemingly unwinnable battle against an actual goddess.

Watanuki isn't even tossing and turning in his sleep, as he often does with bad dreams. He's laying eerily still while he dreams of seeing a wave of sludge rush towards the temple steps he is standing on.]

[The zoning out is something he mentions a few times when sees Yuuko for their their food supply exchanged, casual but knowing. Merlin might not be able to pinpoint how this situation started since he can't See the past, but he won't be surprised if sending Watanuki to Avalon is, in part, a way to "make up for it" in the most indirect way possible.

At some point, a pair of glasses from a certain deceased person is passed on. Supposedly to help. If Merlin weaves in a few more layers of magecraft on it before it's given to the intended recipient, that's no one's business but his own.

As for that dream - it's something Merlin, actually, has no way of specifically anticipating until Goetia distributes the grails across time. After that, he'll be peeking into all seven to determine the details of what's going on and what might happen, and the idea of actually getting involved beyond supplying Chaldea with energy only comes to him much later. The thing is, it's long past the age where he gives prophecies, and he's not inclined to make any more.]

Oya. [He's so surprised that he actually materializes next to Watanuki, grasps his student's arm, and whisks them away in a shower of petals to a higher point of the temple.] So you're capable of something like this as well?

[He knows the taste of a prophetic dream, and the contents of this one are grim enough for him to not make a joke so soon.

It occurs to him that, for the first time, he might've been given a pupil he has to teach about this particular skill set.

...well. Isn't that a twist!]

Edited 2021-02-06 03:21 (UTC)

[Yuuko is painfully unhelpful there, just feeding Merlin lines about 'it was a price that was paid' and things like that. No hint as to the wishes Watanuki made, nor when they were made. You gotta figure it out on your own, magic man.

Watanuki does like his new glasses, if only because he can see slightly better wearing them. His old pair is tucked away for now, and he favors the newer pair, completely unaware of the extra magic instilled on them.

The sudden change to a higher level of the temple is a bit jarring, and he looks surprised to see Merlin there. There is an awareness in Watanuki's eyes that isn't usually there, a hint that this is more than his usual dreams. It's not just Watanuki's subconscious in here.]

Merlin?

[It's the first time he's called out to Merlin by name too. Quite a twist indeed.]

What do you mean 'something like this'?

[Luckily the mud doesn't reach where they are quite yet, so they have time to talk.]

[Figuring it out is indeed on the agenda, but that won't stop him from bringing it up as some sort of tease that turns into one of those inside jokes in the long run. Immortal magicians - including her - have to get fun from somewhere, no?

And ahh, to be recognized at last. This, too, is progress, never mind that it's from a happy... not really an accident. Newly revealed opportunity. There we go.]

Before I answer that, let me ask you: have you ever experienced saying something off-hand before, only for it to actually happen later on without your intervention?

[Merlin, the Bob Ross of prophetic dreams.

It's hard to stay focused on what Merlin is saying when there is so much going on, but Watanuki tries. Thankfully those weird monsters with too-large mouths don't seem to see either of them yet, even though they're out in a very obvious place.]

You mean like deja vu? Sure, that happens to everyone sometimes. But what does that have to do with all of this?

[He's trying to pretend that he doesn't hear those monster screams. It's not a very convincing act.]

[Casting an illusion within a dream is the easiest thing: a tap of his staff on the ground, the creation of a pseudo-barrier around them. There. Now they won't be seen.

That doesn't fix how gruesome and alien the sight before them is, of course, but this serves as a good way to get over the initial shock of meeting the creatures in the waking world. Whenever this occurs.]

You, my dear student, have the gift of Clairvoyance. And I can tell you with certainty that this dream isn't one of the past, no matter how absurd that might seem given the surrounding architecture, but a vision of a future you may find yourself in.

...eh?

[Watanuki is hearing Merlin just fine. It's just that he can't believe what he's actually hearing.]

Wait- clairvoyance? But isn't that really hard to do? Like, it's impossible if you aren't born with a talent for it?

[Someone has been paying attention during his magic lessons, at least.]

And this- what future IS this? We're about to get eaten by horrible monsters! I don't want a future like that!

It's entirely possible you've always had the aptitude. Indeed, having recurring instances to deja vu is one indicator. That said, not everyone's able to wake up that particular talent - practicing magic as you have over the past few months might've brought it out.

And as for this future... [Merlin's expression doesn't change, but his tone gains a somber inflection. By now, Watanuki might be able to tell he's thinking about Arturia and Camelot, again.] We don't always know how we'll arrive to this point, or how it will turn out after. Some particulars can change thanks to our choices, but others - ah, not so much.

I promise you they won't catch sight of the two of us. While we're here, however, we might as well maximize the opportunity. [He makes a sweeping gesture with his arm to indicate their surroundings.] What - or who - else do you see?

But- I started training to be LESS bothered by magic, not more! And now you're saying I'm going to get hit by visions of the future?

[Classic Watanuki, panicking over something not that serious.

The direction to see what else he can see helps though, it refocuses him and keeps him from falling out of his slumber and back to the waking world. Though his movements are a bit frantic now, since he worked himself up like that.]

Er...there's a big temple? We must be in an ancient city, right? Do places like this even exist anymore?

[His attention is drawn upwards though, to where Gilgamesh will end up being when this vision does come to pass.]

Something's up there too.

We're in a place before my time.

[Be as it may, this is a place he knows of, from the style of the ziggurat to the designs on its walls. There is one civilization that comes to mind, ruled by a tyrant that Merlin's studied out of professional interest as a kingmaker and a fellow Clairvoyant.

Solomon's shadow has not yet acted on his plan. But if this dream exists, there is a version of that Sumerian king already dreaming of the fallout a few steps ahead. If Watanuki's spotted him from afar, Merlin paying his respects is but a matter of course.]

Well, let's go greet him, shall we?

A word of caution, Watanuki: don't speak until he addresses you. Introducing yourself as my apprentice will make things easier, and bite your tongue if you think he's insulting you: the outlook of mighty kings such as him is vastly different from what you're used to in the modern age. Until such a time you're more than familiar with court etiquette - make no mistake, that's part of your lessons now! - you're in no position to discern the appropriate time to break it.

[He grasps Watanuki's arm. The sensation is much like it appears - a brief undoing of the physical form, followed by an incremental rematerialization from a thousand flower petals. Merlin takes a moment to breathe deeply, taking in the intermingling sensations of a dream dreamt by two people while the pinnacle of an ancient city burns in what might be either ruin or an honorary funeral pyre.

Several steps before them, the king continues to contemplate the city, his arms crosed. He hasn't turned to acknowledge the interlopers... yet.

Casting one last look at Watanuki as a reminder, Merlin steps forward with a hand on his chest and bows: a sign of respect, not low enough to be mistaken for fealty.]

Greetings, O Great King of Uruk, mankind's oldest hero. Even as we stand at the eve of humanity's greatest calamity, it will be my honor to serve you in stemming this tide when the time comes.

[Gilgamesh snorts.] Magus of Flowers. It's too soon for this meeting, but know that when you choose to meddle with my affairs, I'll work you to the bone.

Mongrel. [He hasn't looked back yet, although it's clear that he's speaking to Watanuki.] The appearance of that Cambion next to you is your doing.

Be grateful I'm allowing you the honor of speaking with me directly without striking you down for your imprudent intrusion. Now, introduce yourself and state your business.

[Before they teleport up there, Watanuki is still going to get a scoff of a comment out:]

You make him sound like a fae. Do I need to give him a fake name too?

[Or so says Watanuki, not realizing that his name is technically fake.

But then they go up and teleporting by flower sure is a sensation. It's something he's going to remember and, in the coming months and years, learn how to repurpose the idea with sakura petals. But for now the seed is just planted in his mind and left forgotten among the more immediately important bits of information he's getting.

Firstly: this whole city is rightly fucked. He's definitely seeing a future of destruction. A part of him feels bad, knowing that this city must have been inhabited at some point and now everyone is gone except presumably one person.

Secondly: Merlin's warning probably isn't needed after all, because that 'one person' left is definitely intimidating in his own right. Watanuki might let his salt flow free with Merlin, but Gilgamesh is too much of a presence in his own right to be rude to him.

Watanuki watches Merlin and copies his bow about a half-second later. He might not know the etiquette, but he can at least do what Merlin does and hope that's enough. And when Gilgamesh addresses him- albeit with an insulting name- he looks to Merlin again before he speaks up.]

I'm Wa- um, I'm his apprentice.

[He gestures to Merlin, unsure if he should use Merlin's name or the title Gilgamesh had used.]

I, er, I don't actually know how I made any of this happen. It's my first time.

[As soon as those words come out of his mouth he realizes how Unfortunate they are, and he winces.]

There isn't a need.

[And not just because Watanuki's name is fake, as Merlin's greeting will make apparent. Gilgamesh will know know him eventually, although it might take some time for the king to actually call him by his name depending on how diligent he works.

Merlin, by the way, will not return that glance. (There's a wryness to his smile, visible even in the dim light. Oh, he's sure plenty will be demanded of him.) He's confident that his pupil can present himself properly, and Gilgamesh is the type to prefer honesty over flattery. Moreover, unlike his past self before he began his search for the herb of immortality, the king isn't so easy to anger.

Case in point: upon hearing that Watanuki pulled this off by accident, Gilgamesh looks over his shoulder, unimpressed - at Merlin.]

Ensure he isn't a liability, court mage.

[The mage dips his head and, given the circumstances, refrains from making a lighthearted comment.] Of course. He will be ready.

[They both know Merlin doesn't need a reminder, but it suits Gilgamesh to codify necessity with a direct order. And, really, there's plenty of things unsaid. Even without divine guidance, Goetia can utilize Solomon's Clairvoyance, and that's not even covering what kind of life-threatening challenges Watanuki will encounter once he steps into Uruk.

To the youth, the king says this:] While a student's failings may reflect on their teacher, you have no right to slack off. Behold, mongrel, the fury of mankind's evil returned: there is no future for you to return to if the very foundations of civilization fall. To fail your duty is to fail me and my people, and that is an insult I won't tolerate.

Do you understand?

Edited 2021-02-08 17:46 (UTC)

[That is. A lot of pressure to put on a 17-year-old who is only just learning about magic. It's understandable why that pressure is there, if Watanuki is supposed to do something about this situation, but that doesn't make it any less of a stressor.]

I understand, yes.

[He doesn't really understand fully, but he suspects that some of this might be about things Watanuki hasn't found out yet. Probably about this location in the past- though future to him and Merlin?- and the people who live here.

Abruptly, there is a crash outside, and it startles Watanuki enough to make him jump back a little and turn to look in that direction. Though they can't clearly see Tiamat yet, there is definitely something large and shadowy and imposing that is breaking through the outer walls of the city. And that something is bringing many more monsters with it.]

Er. Should we be leaving?

[Because danger approaching, Watanuki isn't sure how these dreams pan out or if they have to die in the dream to get out of it. Mostly he wants to go back to his own dream, and that desire to leave is starting to pull at the very edges of all three men. Watanuki doesn't notice it yet, but sakura petals are starting to drift into the throne room.]

[Unfortunately for Watanuki, Gilgamesh won't be excusing him for his age, and he has Merlin's word that the inexperience will be remedied to a sufficient point. That reply, however, does make him narrow his eyes - he knows without a doubt that the youth doesn't yet know the full weight of those words, and he returns to observing Uruk's destruction.]

Fool.

Remember this vision well. When this comes to pass in the waking world, the entirety of Uruk will be fighting until the last breath.

[He makes no move to leave, even when he feels the distinct tug at the very edge of his senses - faint. Unspeakably rude with its implied imposition over the will of a king, and he's more than a little irritated.

(This once, he will condone it, even as the line of his mouth thins. Only because he has an inkling this will be important to know.)

Merlin, on the other hand, holds out his hand to catch a petal, testing its softness between his fingers before thoughtfully glancing at Watanuki. No, these aren't from Avalon, and the magic is distinct from his own.

Why, he'll tease his apprentice later for having his own set of flowers. For now, Merlin will let himself be pulled away to wherever Watanuki will take him, regardless of its lack of conscious intention. A small smile curves at the corners of his lips - it's been a very long while since someone's managed to surprise him to this extent, and he hopes this trip will be worth the hype.]

Oh, Watanuki. You naughty boy.

[Between the irritation of the king and Merlin's teasing, Watanuki isn't sure if he should be afraid or irritated. He knows he's inexperienced and has a lot of training to do, but he doesn't see why "hey, let's move somewhere else that isn't overrun with monsters" is such a bad idea.

Luckily he doesn't get a chance to put a foot in his mouth, because while Merlin and Gilgamesh will just feel that faint tugging, Watanuki will suddenly get bowled over by a large amount of sakura petals. So many that he gets knocked to the floor and mostly-covered by them.]

Gah!

[They're trying to swirl him up and drag him back to his own dreamspace and out of the vision. A protection response of some sort, one that Watanuki doesn't have control over yet.

Will Merlin tag along? Or will he stay behind to gossip with Gilgamesh?

(Regardless, as a sign of Watanuki's latent power, Gilgamesh might find a couple stray sakura petals on his pillow in the morning.)]

[Worry not, Watanuki, your first venture in dream land will have accompaniment. Merlin even laughs at the sight of his student ending up in the tides of the petal sea before turning himself into a swirl of blossoms to follow the trail, while Gilgamesh lets out a very, very patient sigh as he summons his tablet Mystic Code to stabilize his own route and - only as a consequence - Watanuki's.]

Idiot. [He reaches over and yanks up Watanuki by the arm, simply because it's inconvenient to step over a limb buried in a carpet of petals. Rise up and meet this with your own will, or else you'll always find yourself being pulled along willy-nilly and cursing your own fate. Are you not learning to control your own power instead of being subject to its whims?

[He'll just go on ahead and walk once Watanuki's upright.]

[Watanuki is yanked up! And he's sputtering a bit, not because of what Gilgamesh just said to him, but rather because he got a mouthful of petals at some point. Subject to his power's whims indeed.]

I'm working on it!

[Oh, there's a bit of his bite. That one is definitely directed at Gilgamesh.]

Just wait until you see the difference between now and when we actually meet!

Hah. [Watanuki might not see it since Gilgamesh hasn't turned around, but there's an approving laugh there. Now, these are words he can accept.] I'll hold you to that, mongrel.

[By the time they get to the other side of this flower path, Merlin's already there, clasping his chin as he surveys the lone sakura tree in the midst of nothingness. If there, indeed, was something dangerous or unstable about this place, he would've done something more to meddle, although with the way he keeps his staff upright, he's still ready to act at a moment's notice.]

Well, the good news is that this space isn't about to fall apart! [He glances at them over his shoulder, automatically stepping to the side as Gilgamesh approaches and looks up at the canopy of pink petals that seem unnaturally bright in the darkness.] Does this tree have any personal significance for you, Watanuki?

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this is why Roman says Merlin's Clairvoyance sucks

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