dear_mun | on recent discoveries

Yeah? I'll keep my mouth shut, but something tells me that's not really a state secret.

I guess I am. I mean... if you'll have me. But you oughta know I was never really that good at following orders.

If I do not allow Merlin to address me as such, what makes you think that I would allow you?

I am unfortunately used to that, but you are oddly honest with me and there is usefulness in that.

You know, I'm gonna have to meet this guy you're so mad at. Since it sounds like you're keeping him around too.

Yeah, well... not being honest didn't really work out so well last time. I figured I ought to try things your way and see what happens.

Merlin wouldn't leave my side even if I was going to execute him. No, he's too stupidly loyal to leave me or harm me. [why would he even think that Merlin would harm him just because he had magic, Arthur didn't know anymore, his judgement had been clouded just as Uther's was] You'll meet him in time.

Every king needs advisers who aren't afraid to be honest with him, not that I have appointed you an adviser, you'd need to prove yourself first.

You know, the way you say that makes me think you don't really think it's a bad thing. [He's known a few people like that before, even if he's never known what made them that way. In Merlin's case, at least he's starting to understand a little.]

And if I'm gonna prove myself, you probably ought to know exactly what it is I can do.

Sometimes it is good and other times it is not, there have been times where I wanted him to go so his life would not be in danger but he refuses to leave. Although now I know it is because he has his own abilities.

Then what is it that you do?

He probably figured he could protect you better that way. I bet there were plenty of times he saved your life and you didn't even know it.

Where I'm from, it's called morphing. I guess you'd call it shapeshifting. Basically, I can become other living things. Animals, people. Anything I can touch.

[Hold up]

Excuse me?

[Well. Can't say he didn't see this one coming.]

I told you I wasn't normal.

That is... quite a skill. One that could be put to good use if you so wished.

[and if you can be trusted...]

It's got limits. I can only stay changed for two hours. If I stay longer than that I'm trapped. And I can't just morph anyone. I have to touch them first. Acquire them, that's what we called it.

[Admitting what he can do is one thing. Admitting his weaknesses is another. This is all information that can be used against him later if this doesn't work out, so why isn't he shutting up while he's ahead? He's not sure.]

[And Arthur is aware that he just admitted his weaknesses. It would be as if Arthur said he was an excellent swordsman but a little slower on his left side because of a run in with the questing beast. But in Arthur's books, that only makes David more trustworthy.]

That is quite an ability. Do you sound like them and match their gait as well?

[To be fair, it's not a conscious decision he made. The truth just kind of came out of him. It's just because he wants to prove himself to him, he decides. It doesn't mean anything.]

Yes. I sound like them, match their gait, their height and eye color, everything. And if they've got powers, I copy those too.

What about learned knowledge? If you were to become me would you be a swordsman, or if you became my court physician would you have medical knowledge?

No. None of that. If I became you I'd have your natural ability at swordsmanship, but nothing you've learned. I don't get memories either, so I wouldn't know anything about your past or anything. I'd just be like a blank copy of you with all the natural ability you have.

I see, so there are limits but it is a useful skill. If you were to come to Camelot I wouldn't advise you to openly practice it though.

[quieter] Not until I make a public declaration about magic.

[He can just hear his father berating him]

Yeah, I think that's one order I'm not gonna have a problem following. I'm not too keen on being burned at the stake.

[he bites his lip] I know you're technically my king and all now, so I don't know if I'm allowed to question your calls, but... if I am, maybe it'd be a good idea to wait a little while. People would panic if you made an open declaration, wouldn't they? And if you have enemies, then they'd know who to target.

Is being beheaded more of your taste then? [it was meant as a joke but it wasn't a very good one]

[he rolls his eyes] I wouldn't make the declaration tomorrow, it would take time, a lot of time. And it seems as if I only pick up people who question my judgement.

How do you know I wouldn't just grow a new one? [That's okay, he can roll with the punches.]

Well, while you're letting me question your judgment, I might as well throw in some advice too. [he smirks, then gets serious] Use me and this Merlin guy to figure out what kind of enemies you've got and how dangerous they are. If no one knows what I can do, they'll never see me coming. I'd be like your secret weapon.

[he quirks an eyebrow] You can't do that, can you?

Merlin would be a secret weapon as well, there is no way I'm letting word that my manservant is a sorcerer get out. While it could be useful to use both of your abilities I don't want either of you to get injured or a war to be started because I have people sniffing around my enemies.

[he grins, then spreads his hands] Nah, not really. I can heal from pretty much anything else, as long as I get the time to do it, but I don't think I could grow back my whole body.

I don't know how much Merlin's magic lets him do, but you don't have to worry about me. I can heal and for disguise I can be a bird or a bug or even one of their servants. Unless they could sense me somehow they'd never know.

If you have such skills how were you not picked up by another kingdom, anyone would be lucky to have you.

Ah, well... like I said, the last time I did it didn't go to well. And someone else did want me to join him. I almost did, but... I guess you could say we got separated. Probably worked out for the best.

Well I am happy to have you, you will have to vow to me and Camelot before you could put your skills to use, and I'm afraid if you just up and leave without permission there will be consequences.

[You know, if they could find him]

So what, I have to stick with you from now for... until we get to Camelot?

[Okay, maybe he didn't think that part through]

on recent discoveries

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