14th spell ~ [Accidental video | Action I guess]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[Merlin's discovered that the device is a very handy way of making notes in a fairly subtle manner, which is why he's holding it in his hand, which is why he slips and manages to start a recording as he leans on a table, his hand partway covering the screen. Perhaps the view is enough for the place to be recognisable; it's the underground, and the askew tilt of the phone shows enough to conclude that maybe it's a market.

That is, the black market.

Now, Merlin's never really been to the underground, but it has this fishy air about it so if you're looking for something fishy, he figures that's where to go. He doesn't really have much of an idea where to start, but a market seems as good as any, and he's looking at trinkets, a thoughtful purse to his lips and the screen shakes as he lifts his hand to press his knuckles to them.

In the corner, you can see someone approaching. When they speak with a smooth, but casual tone, obviously male, Merlin starts and straightens up abruptly.]

Can I help you?

Ah, no, I was just looking. I think I'll just... Just get going.

[You can barely make out the smile on the man's face before Merlin puts the phone away and all you see is black.]

Good evening, then, sir.

Err-- Right. You too.

[He's the smoothest, okay, shut up.]

((OOC: Merlin is very subtle when he's really just snooping, tyvm. Random NPC is blue, Merlin is black.

--changing the icon is also a good idea. Shhh.))

Comments

[valentineluke]

My, not standing out like a sore thumb at all.

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[Whoa, wait, what--

Oh.

It was recording. Of course it was recording. He lets out something like an annoyed exhale and grimaces. At least he's back on the overground now.]

I don't think I want to fit in down there.

[valentineluke]

If one can't carry themselves in a certain way while below, it's best stay topside.

(Private)

Thank-you for lifting the spell on Solomon.

[lovesthecape]

I think we need some cool lines to say in places like that.

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[Books are good for learning new words; he knows that one.]

A few could come in handy, I guess.

[lovesthecape]

Either that or you become the master of disguise.

[Billy can't help grinning.]

[errandry]

... miiiight wanna double back a couple times while you're getting out of there!

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[He's out of there now.]

Still alive!

[errandry]

Sure you weren't followed or anything? That guy looked pretty sketchy...

[misterblackbird]

I suppose you didn't find what you were looking for.

[Says the guy who goes down to the black market to find new poisons for his secret collection...]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

I'm actually not sure what I was looking for.

[misterblackbird]

Then you must not have found it.

[sixwinged]

Be careful! It's-- definitely not safe, there.

[destinedtobeunpopular]

Never thought it was.

[He's not sure he's very good at being careful though.]

[coyote_walking]

Mer-lin... What are you doing down there?

[destinedtobeunpopular]

Just having a look around. But see? I'm fine.

[And he's left the underground. For now.]

[coyote_walking]

If you could not get yourself killed or eaten or anything, I think we'd all be happier.

video:

[charring]

[Guess who's at home, in bed with a book? She caught this on the device and winced.]

Be careful down there. The people aren't all you have to worry about.

video:

[destinedtobeunpopular]

I can protect myself.

Re: video:

[charring]

I know. It's one of the many things I like about you. [Charlie smiles, book abandoned as she picks up her device and gives Merlin her full attention.]

Doesn't mean I won't worry about you.

Action;

[worldofourown]

[ He's wandering the market himself. Looking -- though he'd never admit it -- for something that might cheer Solomon up. Which is stupid. Solomon's grief won't fade with little palliative toys. But he has to try something. ]

[ Glimpsing the familiar man -- ridiculously out of place -- Karl frowns. ]

Odd place to be grocery shopping.

Action;

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[A little startled, he whips around and stares at Karl for a moment, almost gaping. But he gathers himself together quickly enough.]

Oh! No, I'm not-- Could you even find groceries here?

Action;

[worldofourown]

[ Gaping? Really? You'd think Karl was the Krumpus. Smoothly, he drifts closer. Merlin reminds him of nothing so much as a lamb in a slaughterhouse. A predatory voice whispers how easy he'd be to take. ]

[ He ignores it. ]

Obviously. [ He offers Merlin a glimpse of the goods in his own parcel. Raw steak. Bottled blood. Spices. Little fruity jam jars. Not for him. For Solomon. His brother, in the wake of his lost powers, has stopped drinking blood. Maybe -- flavored meals -- will change his mind. ] Of course, it depends on your definition of 'groceries.' Goat's brain and pickled grasshoppers aren't a staple of most topside denizens.

[ Ridiculous. Topside is too occidental for his taste, sometimes. ]

[pratful]

[ Arthur sighs ]

Back at the tavern again are you? [ he's not even looking otherwise he might have clued in on the actual "market" concept of the place. But, seriously. Why can't Merlin be a good boy and just come home at the end of a day?

Don't make him collar you. ]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

What? No.

[Because Merlin has Ideas and he needs to see about them.

No collaring. Not allowed.]