[It's been awhile since the three of them had their fun, and honestly Merlin nearly forgot he almost DIED from embarrassment since he sort of chilled out once things actually started going. It's not until a couple days later, while Merlin writes away in his room, that it hits him.
That's right!
Hanna knows something about him. Something unsavory, definitely not anything good. The way he pointed him all accusatory-like, his mocking words, that sinister smile, the memories punch him in the gut and he nearly falls out of his chair.
"I was wondering why I'd never heard of a "Prince Merlin" in Snow White's story!"
Maya said she didn't recall any names for the dwarfs, but now he worries she might've been stupid about it. What is in this story? ...What isn't in this story? He has to know and he needs to set the record straight, even if it...........humiliates him. He does NOT need his Ryslig bestie thinking he's merely posing as a prince!!
So, uh, hopefully Hanna isn't reading any bone books again, because Merlin will come barging through his door much like Maya did. ...Same time, too, actually. Huh, weird.]
Hey! Guess who just remembered that you and I need to have a very serious talk.
[About fairy tales, the most serious subject of all.]
[Hanna on the other hand, has completely forgotten that little fiasco almost in its entirety, and only somewhat on purpose. He does stand by the idea that not all stories are the same as the realities they come from! Besides, whatever Merlin wants to tell him about, surely he will. Which is why for the past few days, he hasn't even tossed a knowing glance Merlin or teased him about being tiny in the slightest. It's almost like it never happened!
What he does remember is that he was going to put a little more effort into not snooping on others conversations, which is why he's got his headphones on when the nymph bursts into the room. In most other cases, his sudden appearance would have sent the kelpie through the roof, but he appears to be very focused on his task. He's got a few dissected shirts and blouses spread out on his bed and looks to be frankensteining those pieces together by hand. An upbeat disco jam can barely be heard coming out of those headphones, but it's mostly being masked by his instrument imitations. Which...probably sound odd without the accompaniment of the music itself.
Sorry, Merlin. Your demands have unfortunately fallen on preoccupied ears.]
[Merlin stands there silently for a few seconds, eyes glancing back and forth to the side, as if waiting for Hanna's response. ...Anything? Anything at all? He just barged through the door, shouldn't that have at least set off his iconic kelpie skittishness?
He doesn't know what a headphones is, as far as he knows, Hanna is just wearing some sort of silly nonsense and ignoring him while doing so. Should...should he try again?]
Yes! A...very serious discussion! ...Discussion? As in...TWO people talking to each other? Back and forth?? And not just... [He makes a distressed popping noise with his mouth.] -me. Ahem. Hellooooo?
...
Hi?
...
Are you doing this on purpose?! I am having a crisis, man!!
[He hears some sort of... murmuring? That he doesn't remember being in this song before. After a moment, he lifts his head and tugs one of the earpieces off his head, just in time to hear "--man!!" He whips around to face the door, eyes wide and brows raised. He plucks the needle from between his lips, offering that weird tilted grin of his.]
Oh, hey Merl! Didn't hear ya come in!
[He hits Stop on his portable cassette player and tugs the band off his head, setting it to the side so he can turn his attention to his visitor.]
[Didn't hear him?! But doesn't he have amazing horse hearing?! Ugh, whatever-]
It could be hanging better.
[Merlin isn't stupid despite everything, he can see the device Hanna's messing with and put two and two together enough to figure it was distracting him somehow. What matters is he has his attention now, so he tries again.
Although by this time, his confidence is completely shot.]
[He's already moving those fabric scraps around so he can make room for Merlin to sit down on the bed next to him. He even pats the comforter when the place is cleared, signalling for him to come fill the space.]
Is this about the kelp in the shower? I swear I thought I got it all up last time--
[He waves rapidly, as if to shake that very idea out of existence.
Merlin eyes the spot Hanna pats, then looks over his shoulder as if expecting Maya just to be there for some reason. When it's obvious she isn't, he hesitantly begins walking over, but decides to get straight to the point before ever sitting down.]
Uhhh, haha. Well, that's a heck of a question, but uh. I dunno! I guess, like...
[He counts off on his fingers as he starts his list, glancing up at the ceiling like the answers are floating above him or something.]
Well, your fav color is blue, you're a sick lightning wizard that uses talisman magic, you smell like mint, you used to sleep with six guys, you're like 5'9", you have a wife, you have some kinda beef with King Arthur-- a bunch of other stuff, but uh...
[Places his hands in his lap and blinking those big blue eyes at him like he really doesn't have a clue what this is about--]
I mean... I think you're gonna have to be a little more specific.
[That... comes out instantly before he straightens himself out again.
...Then clears his throat and finally, if not awkwardly, sits in that spot Hanna offered him earlier.]
And I don't have any beef with him, he's just my idiot friend. I mean- No! NO! That is absolutely not what I came here to talk about! I'm talking about what you said earlier, during that night we were all being ridiculous. What do you know about me?!
[He winces a bit with the correction, but it the flicking of his ears indicates that it's more of a volume issue than anything actually concerning.]
Ah-- oh... yeah. That.
[He too clears his throat, scooting back a bit and pulling his legs up to cross in front of him so he can rest his elbows upon his knees.]
I'ma be honest with you, I was really just kinda going along with the story? At least, the way it's told in my world. But there's so many different universes and so many retellings of that particular fairy tale that it's super possible that I don't know squat about you!
They're on the same page now AND Merlin hasn't been forced to admit anything just yet. So far...so good. Merlin settles down just a little, noticeably more relaxed and not nearly as...prickly. He's sure he'll have a reason to be on edge again soon, but that just comes with the territory.]
Yeah, I, uh, noticed that when everyone started calling me an old man. But this story...how does it go in your world?
[He winces, but at least this time it's a sympathy wince.]
Yeah, uh. I imagine your story isn't quite complete without her, huh.
[He sighs and settles back against his headboard, crossing his arms beneath his chest while he delves through his mental library for this fairy tale.]
Ssso, uh. Snow White's story, in my world, it's called "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"--Dwarves? Dwarfs. I-- I dunno which one it is-- Eh, anyway, it involves her being a kind-hearted and beautiful girl who sings to animals and they all flock to her to help her clean the cottage she shares with the seven dwarves and decorate her pies and there's a mean old witch who is jealous of her beauty and goes and feeds her a nasty apple and--
[He lifts a hand to tap his chin thoughtfully.] Well, I kinda forget what happens after that. It's been like a million years since I saw the movie.
[As Hanna explains the story, Merlin finds himself opening and closing his mouth repeatedly, as if he wants to correct him with every sentence, but then chooses it's better not to interrupt. Well, kind-hearted and beautiful is right, but....sings to animals? Maybe she could do that...if she felt like it. Although he sure didn't see any animals flock to her, unless the bunny counts... And a cottage?? SHARING??? It all just sorta becomes similar-but-not-quite from there, Hanna didn't even mention the tree thing.
The tree thing never leaves you.]
Maya tried to explain it to me earlier, but she didn't believe the dwarves had any names. Is that true?
There's uhhh... Happy and Dopey aaaand Doc. That's three.
[Once again, counting on his fingers.]
Uh. ...Sleepy? Uhhh... Oh! Grumpy! and... Giddy? Silly? No, it's more like... Flirty. Or Shy, but it's not "Shy" What's another word for "shy--" Bashful. Bashful aaaand.
Ugh, c'mon, I almost got'em! [He's just wracking his brain here to remember-- give him a sec.]
Surely Hanna is joking, those aren't even names he's listing. But the more adjectives he lists, the more it becomes apparent that he's being serious, and Merlin is left trying to figure out which one of his friends is supposedly Dopey. Which one is he supposed to be?!
Who is writing these stories?!]
No, stop! STOP! That's quite alright, those are definitely not their names!!
[Ah, finally, a target. When he has time, he'll have to destroy this....Disney person.
But more importantly, Merlin glances towards the door again, making sure there aren't any sudden Maya's that might be overhearing. With a sigh, he turns back to Hanna, looking as seriously as he can about such a subject matter. His words from earlier still live rent-free in his head, he knows Hanna is trying to spare his feelings.]
Don't play dumb with me, Hanna. You know exactly why I know their names....don't you?
Augh, alright, fine. Yes, I'm sorry, I thought you were one of the seven dwarf-ves! It's just-- all the pieces fell in place and it sounded a lot like the story I'd heard and I got too excited! I-- It just.
[Groans, ruffling his kelpy curls in frustration.] I wasn't trying to make fun of you or anything, I just got way ahead of myself. I shoulda asked mono-y-mono, man to man, and not like, put you on the spot like that. It sucked, and I'm sorry.
That's...a genuine apology, isn't it? Wow! Wow, alright then, looks like this is really happening, Merlin can't not tell Hanna if he's going to apologize like that, huh? With another heavy sigh, Merlin double checks the door one last time before looking up at Hanna with the most pathetic eyes.]
I- listen. It's alright. I only got testy because you aren't......entirely wrong. [Oooooohhhkay, he can do this. Maybe. A part of him feels like he can back out quickly and just yell sike, but then he'll just have to keep living with constantly guessing if Hanna believed that or not. Perhaps if he gave himself the reassurance...] What I'm about to say, I'm begging you to PLEASE keep between us. Lord knows Maya looks for any opportunity to push me off my pedestal, she would ABSOLUTELY tear me apart if she knew....
...but...I may have just gotten over a particularly nasty curse before arriving here. So I'm a little.........sensitive.
[Oh, well that's got his attention. He sits up straighter, scooting forward a bit so he can speak low and keep this hush-hush, as requested.]
A curse that turned you into a dwarf?? That makes way more sense than some girl living with a bunch of little old men! Like, that's a way more compelling story--
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
momijizukamori
no subject
That's right!
Hanna knows something about him. Something unsavory, definitely not anything good. The way he pointed him all accusatory-like, his mocking words, that sinister smile, the memories punch him in the gut and he nearly falls out of his chair.
"I was wondering why I'd never heard of a "Prince Merlin" in Snow White's story!"
Maya said she didn't recall any names for the dwarfs, but now he worries she might've been stupid about it. What is in this story? ...What isn't in this story? He has to know and he needs to set the record straight, even if it...........humiliates him. He does NOT need his Ryslig bestie thinking he's merely posing as a prince!!
So, uh, hopefully Hanna isn't reading any bone books again, because Merlin will come barging through his door much like Maya did. ...Same time, too, actually. Huh, weird.]
Hey! Guess who just remembered that you and I need to have a very serious talk.
[About fairy tales, the most serious subject of all.]
That's right. It's me.
no subject
What he does remember is that he was going to put a little more effort into not snooping on others conversations, which is why he's got his headphones on when the nymph bursts into the room. In most other cases, his sudden appearance would have sent the kelpie through the roof, but he appears to be very focused on his task. He's got a few dissected shirts and blouses spread out on his bed and looks to be frankensteining those pieces together by hand. An upbeat disco jam can barely be heard coming out of those headphones, but it's mostly being masked by his instrument imitations. Which...probably sound odd without the accompaniment of the music itself.
Sorry, Merlin. Your demands have unfortunately fallen on preoccupied ears.]
no subject
He doesn't know what a headphones is, as far as he knows, Hanna is just wearing some sort of silly nonsense and ignoring him while doing so. Should...should he try again?]
Yes! A...very serious discussion! ...Discussion? As in...TWO people talking to each other? Back and forth?? And not just... [He makes a distressed popping noise with his mouth.] -me. Ahem. Hellooooo?
...
Hi?
...
Are you doing this on purpose?! I am having a crisis, man!!
no subject
Oh, hey Merl! Didn't hear ya come in!
[He hits Stop on his portable cassette player and tugs the band off his head, setting it to the side so he can turn his attention to his visitor.]
How's it hangin'?
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It could be hanging better.
[Merlin isn't stupid despite everything, he can see the device Hanna's messing with and put two and two together enough to figure it was distracting him somehow. What matters is he has his attention now, so he tries again.
Although by this time, his confidence is completely shot.]
We need to TALK.
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[He's already moving those fabric scraps around so he can make room for Merlin to sit down on the bed next to him. He even pats the comforter when the place is cleared, signalling for him to come fill the space.]
Is this about the kelp in the shower? I swear I thought I got it all up last time--
no subject
[He waves rapidly, as if to shake that very idea out of existence.
Merlin eyes the spot Hanna pats, then looks over his shoulder as if expecting Maya just to be there for some reason. When it's obvious she isn't, he hesitantly begins walking over, but decides to get straight to the point before ever sitting down.]
What do you know about me?
no subject
[He counts off on his fingers as he starts his list, glancing up at the ceiling like the answers are floating above him or something.]
Well, your fav color is blue, you're a sick lightning wizard that uses talisman magic, you smell like mint, you used to sleep with six guys, you're like 5'9", you have a wife, you have some kinda beef with King Arthur-- a bunch of other stuff, but uh...
[Places his hands in his lap and blinking those big blue eyes at him like he really doesn't have a clue what this is about--]
I mean... I think you're gonna have to be a little more specific.
no subject
[That... comes out instantly before he straightens himself out again.
...Then clears his throat and finally, if not awkwardly, sits in that spot Hanna offered him earlier.]
And I don't have any beef with him, he's just my idiot friend. I mean- No! NO! That is absolutely not what I came here to talk about! I'm talking about what you said earlier, during that night we were all being ridiculous. What do you know about me?!
no subject
Ah-- oh... yeah. That.
[He too clears his throat, scooting back a bit and pulling his legs up to cross in front of him so he can rest his elbows upon his knees.]
I'ma be honest with you, I was really just kinda going along with the story? At least, the way it's told in my world. But there's so many different universes and so many retellings of that particular fairy tale that it's super possible that I don't know squat about you!
no subject
Okay.
They're on the same page now AND Merlin hasn't been forced to admit anything just yet. So far...so good. Merlin settles down just a little, noticeably more relaxed and not nearly as...prickly. He's sure he'll have a reason to be on edge again soon, but that just comes with the territory.]
Yeah, I, uh, noticed that when everyone started calling me an old man. But this story...how does it go in your world?
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no subject
Okay, a little rude and hurtful. ...N-Not at you, of course, but whoever is writing these stories.
I meant Snow's.
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Yeah, uh. I imagine your story isn't quite complete without her, huh.
[He sighs and settles back against his headboard, crossing his arms beneath his chest while he delves through his mental library for this fairy tale.]
Ssso, uh. Snow White's story, in my world, it's called "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"--Dwarves? Dwarfs. I-- I dunno which one it is-- Eh, anyway, it involves her being a kind-hearted and beautiful girl who sings to animals and they all flock to her to help her clean the cottage she shares with the seven dwarves and decorate her pies and there's a mean old witch who is jealous of her beauty and goes and feeds her a nasty apple and--
[He lifts a hand to tap his chin thoughtfully.] Well, I kinda forget what happens after that. It's been like a million years since I saw the movie.
no subject
The tree thing never leaves you.]
Maya tried to explain it to me earlier, but she didn't believe the dwarves had any names. Is that true?
1/2
2/2
There's uhhh... Happy and Dopey aaaand Doc. That's three.
[Once again, counting on his fingers.]
Uh. ...Sleepy? Uhhh... Oh! Grumpy! and... Giddy? Silly? No, it's more like... Flirty. Or Shy, but it's not "Shy" What's another word for "shy--" Bashful. Bashful aaaand.
Ugh, c'mon, I almost got'em! [He's just wracking his brain here to remember-- give him a sec.]
no subject
Surely Hanna is joking, those aren't even names he's listing. But the more adjectives he lists, the more it becomes apparent that he's being serious, and Merlin is left trying to figure out which one of his friends is supposedly Dopey. Which one is he supposed to be?!
Who is writing these stories?!]
No, stop! STOP! That's quite alright, those are definitely not their names!!
no subject
[Snickering.]
So, you know the dwar...ves... actual names, then? That's pretty cool.
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But more importantly, Merlin glances towards the door again, making sure there aren't any sudden Maya's that might be overhearing. With a sigh, he turns back to Hanna, looking as seriously as he can about such a subject matter. His words from earlier still live rent-free in his head, he knows Hanna is trying to spare his feelings.]
Don't play dumb with me, Hanna. You know exactly why I know their names....don't you?
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...Iiii mean, there's all kindsa reasons! I don't want to presume--
[Except he already has and he was so, so right.]
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[Bestie please don't toy with him.]
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Augh, alright, fine. Yes, I'm sorry, I thought you were one of the seven dwarf-ves! It's just-- all the pieces fell in place and it sounded a lot like the story I'd heard and I got too excited! I-- It just.
[Groans, ruffling his kelpy curls in frustration.] I wasn't trying to make fun of you or anything, I just got way ahead of myself. I shoulda asked mono-y-mono, man to man, and not like, put you on the spot like that. It sucked, and I'm sorry.
no subject
That's...a genuine apology, isn't it? Wow! Wow, alright then, looks like this is really happening, Merlin can't not tell Hanna if he's going to apologize like that, huh? With another heavy sigh, Merlin double checks the door one last time before looking up at Hanna with the most pathetic eyes.]
I- listen. It's alright. I only got testy because you aren't......entirely wrong. [Oooooohhhkay, he can do this. Maybe. A part of him feels like he can back out quickly and just yell sike, but then he'll just have to keep living with constantly guessing if Hanna believed that or not. Perhaps if he gave himself the reassurance...] What I'm about to say, I'm begging you to PLEASE keep between us. Lord knows Maya looks for any opportunity to push me off my pedestal, she would ABSOLUTELY tear me apart if she knew....
...but...I may have just gotten over a particularly nasty curse before arriving here. So I'm a little.........sensitive.
no subject
[Oh, well that's got his attention. He sits up straighter, scooting forward a bit so he can speak low and keep this hush-hush, as requested.]
A curse that turned you into a dwarf?? That makes way more sense than some girl living with a bunch of little old men! Like, that's a way more compelling story--
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