mixingbowl | Good thing first impressions aren't everything?

[ Merlin startles to attention, snapping closed the book he was studying from and attempting to look like he is absolutely competent. ]

Filter, right. What size?

[ Which is when he clocks the guy in front of him properly. His eyebrows twitch slightly as he glances between Arthur and the weather outside. It's grey. Not raining, admittedly, but not exactly bright sunshine either.

He bites his tongue against saying something, for the moment. ]

Large. [Arthur’s jaw clenches a bit when he sees the barrista squinting at his glasses. All right, so that hadn’t been the best disguise, but Arthur had been in a hurry when he rushed out of his father’s office.

Silently, he wills the waifish looking fellow not to say figure it out.]

Hurry it up, would you? You’re not being paid to stand there and stare, for God’s sake.

[And that might have just been a tad bit snippier than he’d meant it to be.]

Nope, I'm definitely not.

[ Sharp one, this guy. He gives a slight smirk as he grabs the right size of cup, turns and starts preparing the coffee. ]

But you must be being paid to advertise those Ray-bans.

[ Either that or he just really enjoys the allegedly cool look they give. Like he expects paparazzi at any minute. ]

[Jaw clenching tighter, Aeron tries to keep back his scowl, but fails miserably in doing so.]

You must be horribly bored if you're so desperate to pry into a customer's life. What I wear is none of your concern.

[While he's firing off the retort, Aeron can't help but feel as if he's being scrutinised by the other man, and that worries him. Perhaps it's time to divert his attention elsewhere.]

Unless you mean for your appearance to be mine, as well. In which case, don't you think you're about due for a hair cut?

Nah, I'm not aiming to look like a prat.

[ He turns and grins brightly at Aeron as he slides on a sleeve sets down the coffee, fixing a lid on carefully and starting to ring up the price. ]

I am bored though, you're right about that. One-fifty, please.

Edited (NOT ARTHUR) 2014-05-29 23:59 (UTC)

[Aeron's brows threaten to disappear into his hair as he eyes the barista incredulously. That...had definitely been an insult.]

Excuse me?

[Busy as he is being offended, Aeron doesn't notice when one of the coffee shop's patrons turns deliberately in his seat and aims what looks like a gun in his direction.]

One -fifty. For the coffee.

[ Because obviously that is what Aeron was talking about. He shakes his head a little, lips pressed into a thin line. ]

You know, you might want to --

[ Which is when he looks just in time to see the gun fire.

Merlin panics, he acts before he can even think -- flails out a hand and concentrates as his eyes flash gold. Everything slows down as he stops the bullet, adrenaline making his heart race ridiculously.

Then he realises he's got an audience. He pulls his hand back reflexively and the bullet drops to the floor with a faint click against the stone, and for a moment all Merlin can think is well I know he's a douchebag wearing sunglasses indoors but this is an overreaction isn't it? ]

Edited (AGAIN) 2014-05-30 16:33 (UTC)

[When the magic is lifted, and the bullet drops, Aeron has a split-second of confusion before he realises something's wrong. He spots the gun and immediately steps toward the man, as if meaning to disarm him.

Inwardly, he curses his own stupidity. Temper or not, it had been foolish to leave without his body guards.]

Put the gun down before you hurt someone.

Edited 2014-05-30 19:50 (UTC)

Um. I think that was the... intention...

[ Merlin scrambles vaguely for a phone, something, something to get somewhere here to help him. He glances up in time to see the guy getting up and waves a hand, throwing him across the room. He hits the wall hard and the gun skitters away. Merlin winces. Bit too strong. Right. More concentration would be good.

This is awkward. The rest of the customers are edging away and trying to get things between them and the gunman and this guy is just walking towards him. Maybe he has training. Maybe he's an undercover cop! Oh, that would be good. ]

If anyone is going to leave now is probably the time.

[Well, this new development complicates things. Aeron's eyes dart between the barista and the man who's just attempted to kill him with some incredulity. Then, Aeron seems to remember the other patrons, and quickly shifts gear.]

Everyone, out!

[He makes his voice as commanding as possible, helping a young man off the floor and sending him off toward the entrance. His eyes find the barista's.]

Can you keep him down? He might have another weapon on him.

Do I look like a security team to you?! Can't you just tie him or -- Oh, yes, hello, I'd like to report --

[ He makes an vague hand gesture as the guy tries to get up, pushing him back down as he half turns to try and explain to the police what's going on. This is going to get bad, very quickly, and oh lord does he not have time to explain to the police that yes he's an unregistered magic user and no he's never been taught and no he doesn't know how it happens it just does and all of that.

He sets down the phone eventually, half glancing back over at Aeron and the guy he's been keeping pinned. ]

Look I -- I've called the police but, um, I sort of... need to go... before they get here... so if you could maybe tie him or -- err, I don't have any rope actually. Maybe if we... knock him out?

You need to go. [Aeron repeats his words, brows practically snapping together. Is this man an idiot? It would explain a few things.]

Go where? If the police are on their way, they'll need to talk to you.

[A grunt from the attacker makes Aeron turn his attention back with a scowl. But--the barista has a point. Tying him up or knocking him out seems like the best choice. Aeron delivers a rather business-like blow to the man's mid-section and leaves him on the ground as soon as he's out cold.]

Away!

[ Not very convincing. All right, come on, we can lie better than this. ]

I have an urgent -- thing. I was planning to leave early today, but, well, you really look like you're handling this so you probably don't need me anyway. So, might as well go! Can't keep people waiting.

[Nope, still not buying it.]

What could possibly be more important than--than this?

[Not that...Aeron can really stop him if he runs, when he's got his hands full with the attacker.]

Edited 2014-06-02 22:25 (UTC)

Just -- trust me, I really can't stay. You --

[ Only now Merlin feels guilty. He rips off his apron and disappears to grab his satchel, slings it around himself and comes over to crouch by the attacker. To check he's out cold. ]

Look, you'll be fine. Honestly. You can take this guy anyway! You already decked him once. Anyway, I, um...

[ The sound of sirens makes Merlin look up from Aeron, stare wide-eyed then hop to his feet. ]

See! You'll be fine. Just -- you know, wait here.

[ Which is the last thing Merlin says before he dodges his way out the door and attempts to blend in with the rest of the street outside.

Merlin thinks he's gotten away from it. He's tense the whole rest of the day, looking over his shoulder the second, but by the third day he's begun to relax. Which is his mistake. He fumbles his way to his door when the bell rings, stares at the very impressive looking men on the other side and swallows nervously.

He's allowed to get changed, at least, which is a good sign. You wouldn't let someone get changed then take them off to be murdered or something, right? Only he's sure these guys are less 'kidnapping murderers' and more security or something. Police? Wouldn't police tell you that you have the right to remain silent, etc? These ones are just being disturbingly quiet and evasive, and Merlin is increasingly wishing he wasn't wearing a t-shirt that said 'I Like Trees'. It doesn't seem serious enough. He should have worn a plain t-shirt. He panicked, and it was better than the one that said 'I'm sorry for what I said when I was hungry'.

Merlin has no idea when he is by the time the car stops, and sits wringing his hands in some enormous room which appears to mostly contain an inconveniently low (but very stylish) table and a lot of book shelves. His leg is bouncing restlessly, hangs ringing together.

He's in so much trouble. So much trouble. His mum is going to kill him, or cry a lot, probably cry a lot, then hopefully bail him out if he ends up in jail.

When the door opens and Aeron walks in Merlin blinks in confusion, groans. ]

You just couldn't keep your mouth shut, could you? I saved you! I knew you were a prat but did you have to go and get me arrested?

Edited (English) 2014-06-02 23:29 (UTC)

[Somehow, in the few days that had passed since the barista bolted, Aeron had managed to forget what a bumbling fool he was at the counter. Now, though, it all comes flooding back, and it's only concern for his appearance that Aeron doesn't rub at his temples to stave off the headache he can feel forming.

Kay, one of his bodyguards speaks up before Aeron can do more than sigh.]

He didn't give us any trouble when we stopped by his house, sir. Do you want us to question him first?

Question me?!

[ This is going to turn into a nightmare, he knows it. Maybe they'll play good-cop bad-cop. Who will be the bad cop? Will he be water-boarded? He hopes they don't do the thing of pulling out his teeth or toenails or something, it looks so painful in movies and admittedly he is a bit sensitive. Certain types of wool make him come out in an itchy rash.

Only -- ]

Hang on, sir?

[ Merlin squints at Aeron, then at the dangerous looking man who claimed he didn't give him any trouble. Who would, really? ]

Are these your bodyguards? I know you were shot at but I think this is overkill, I'm really not dangerous.

Edited (forgot to change icon oops) 2014-06-03 00:36 (UTC)

[It figures the barista wouldn't recognise him, even without the sunglasses to give him cover.]

They've always been my bodyguards... [Aeron glances down at the file they'd given him earlier.] Griffiths.

It's one of the perks of being second in line to the throne.

[Though, by his tone, Aeron doesn't think it's anything like a perk at all.]

[ ... Second in line to the throne.

Also, does this guy have a file on him? This is bad. He is in so much trouble. ]

Um...

[ Is he going to be arrested? Is he going to be arrested by a prince? Time to blurt out everything in the hope of sympathy. ]

Look I know I should be registered but you know how things are! People are still scared, it's hard to get a job! My mother doesn't have very much money and the registration fees are high and it's not as if I have trouble controlling it, it's always been easy for me I don't need teaching, and I've never done anything bad with it I swear. The most dangerous thing I've done so far is save your life and punishing me really isn't a very good way to thank me!

[And now they’ve reached the heart of the problem. Imagine the surprise Aeron had felt when he’d described the barista’s magic, only to learn that the barista apparently didn’t have magic. Or had never registered, as the law dictated.

Aeron lets him finish his ramble, exasperation already tinting his expression again. Something about the guy just plain bothers him, his presence like an itch getting under Aeron’s skin. He guesses it must be the circumstances that are affecting him so much—he’d expected to thank the man and send him off with a reward for saving the prince’s life, only to be met with this complication.]

Are you finished now? The more you interrupt us, the longer you’ll be here. If you have more to say, I suggest you make yourself comfortable now.

[ Merlin exhales sharply, like an impatient horse, and works his jaw. ]

Does it matter what I say?

[ An honest question. If it doesn't, well, he supposes he could get in a few more rants just because he could but all in all it might not be worth the effort. If it matters, maybe he can tame his own tongue a little. Try and build a defence. ]

Perhaps.

[Aeron leans forward, expression serious. Sorcery--while he's never really dealt with it himself, is not something to take lightly. His father has been drilling this caution into him since he was just a child.]

You do realise there's a hefty fine for breaking the registration laws, don't you? One high enough to eliminate what progress you've made by hiding your magic.

I know.

[ He frowns, trying to look determined, but it mostly comes out a little wounded and serious. ]

I haven't got enough money to pay it. Are you going to bankrupt me in return for saving your life?

I am not ungrateful for your help, but you’ve put me in a difficult position, Griffiths. Had you been registered, you would have been given a reward and that would have been the end of this whole thing. Instead, I have you hauled in to be questioned and punished, when I would rather have done the opposite.

[Arthur tells him all this bluntly, but not unkindly. ]

The laws are there for a reason. I cannot simply let you off the hook for breaking them, even if you have saved my life. Were I anyone else, it would be a different matter.

[As a member of the royal family, he has to help uphold the laws of his country.]

[ Great. Questioned and punished. ]

Then change the laws! You're a prince, aren't you? These laws -- they make no sense. Magic is not dangerous. Magic is just a part of people. Making us declare ourselves implies we need to, implies there's something other about us. Gives people the right to treat us differently when --

[ When it shouldn't be that way. He takes a breath, frowns and censors himself. ]

It doesn't matter. You don't care. Go on, then. Punish me. What's it to be? Humongous debt? Savaged by royal corgis?

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