For Your Entertainment

[ayoungboy]

The circus comes into town in the late afternoon. It's a quiet caravan, but the whispers start immediately. It's not a regular circus. This one - this is the Camelot circus. One of the most esteemed traveling acts in the country, and not for the faint of heart. This one has a flaming sword eater and a terrifying magician.

A few brave people try to peek at the preparations, but once the big tent is up, all that can really be seen are food stands being set up, and a few podiums for acts unknown. Everything else is hidden from view. You want to see? Come buy a ticket.

Comments

[royalpratness]

Arthur slowly guides Merlin down the stairs and opens the front door. "It's not raining for once." They step outside and walk down the pathway.

[ayoungboy]

"It rains a lot here?" Merlin tilts his head up at Arthur.

[royalpratness]

"Yes, unfortunately." Arthur nods. "Do you only travel in England with the circus?"

[ayoungboy]

"No. We've been to France...we were going to go north in the spring."

[royalpratness]

"Ah, France. Lovely country, not so lovely people." Arthur grins.

[ayoungboy]

"How true," Merlin laughs a little. "Wouldn't stop hounding me about my tricks."

[royalpratness]

"I bet. I guess traveling is definitely one of the perks of your job then. Most people who are born here never set foot out of England." Arthur walks up to a bench in front of the house, sitting down on it.

[ayoungboy]

"I suppose. Traveling is for the wealthy." Merlin doesn't say it bitterly; it's fact. Most people just don't have the money, or the inclination to leave a place where they have their livelihood.

[royalpratness]

"I always hate going anywhere by boat. I wish there was a faster way." Arthur muses, gesturing for Merlin to sit down with him.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin does, smiling gently. "Maybe flying by magic?"

[royalpratness]

Arthur's eyes widen at the idea. "Would that work?"

[ayoungboy]

"I can levitate you, can't I?" Merlin teases. "I believe so, yes."

[royalpratness]

"You believe? Have you never tried it?"

[ayoungboy]

"No." Merlin shrugs. "I don't suppose I've ever had anywhere to go."

[royalpratness]

"We need to try this out once you've fully recovered." Arthur smiles excitedly.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin laughs a little and nods. "Sure, Arthur. Least I can do for your kindness."

[royalpratness]

"I'm glad that I'm in a position to be able to help you." Arthur gently nudges his elbow against Merlin's arm.

[ayoungboy]

"Thank you," Merlin says again, smiling gently. "Really. I'll find some way to repay you."

[royalpratness]

"Oh but you already do. My life is terribly boring. Meeting you is the most exciting thing that has happened to me... ever, actually."

[ayoungboy]

"Oh, I doubt that. You could do anything you wanted, Arthur."

[royalpratness]

"Hardly." He sighs. "I own most of the land in this county. It's my duty to stay here and oversee everything, make sure that none of the people living here go hungry."

[ayoungboy]

"You could take a vacation." Merlin suggests, though it appears he didn't know of Arthur's duties.

[royalpratness]

"Vacation." Arthur laughs. "I don't think I've ever been on vacation before."

[ayoungboy]

"No? No beautiful summer home?"

[royalpratness]

"No, no beautiful summer home." The thought of getting one never even occurred to him. "Maybe I'll spend a few months at the sea side next year."