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]

"Sorry. I didn't know you were asleep at this time of day." Arthur takes a step further into the tent.

[ayoungboy]

He's not even completely awake when he peeks out at Arthur, bleary-eyed, hair mussed. "...huh?"

[royalpratness]

Arthur can't help but grin at the sight. In that state, Emrys looks nothing like a powerful wizard anymore. "Hello."

[ayoungboy]

"...who...oh. Hello, sir." Merlin yawns, voice sleepy. "...close the flap?"

[royalpratness]

"Arthur. My name is Arthur Pendragon." He turns, closing the flap behind him. "Sorry for intruding like this."

[ayoungboy]

"Mr. Pendragon," Merlin yawns again, blinking a little more now that the sunlight is gone, leaving them cloaked in quiet darkness. "...pardon me. No...it's alright. You didn't have any singing on your clothes, did you? I can fix it if you did."

[royalpratness]

"What? Singing? No, no my clothes are fine." Arthur looks curiously around the tent. "How did you do it?"

[ayoungboy]

"Oh, good." It takes Merlin a long time to process the question. "...do what? Oh. That was magic."

[royalpratness]

Arthur rolls his eyes. "Yes, of course." He tilts his head. "Did you use wires?"

[ayoungboy]

"Nope, no wires." Merlin shakes his head, face half-buried in his pillow. "Magic."

[royalpratness]

"Magic doesn't exist." Arthur states, matter of factly.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin sighs, closing his eyes - and Arthur rises a few feet off the ground. "...yes it does."

[royalpratness]

"What the hell!" Arthur shouts, shocked and waving his arms frantically to get down to the floor. "How are you doing this?!"

[ayoungboy]

"Magic," Merlin says, sleepy. He lets Arthur down easily enough, still just lounging on his cot.

[royalpratness]

"It can't be!" Arthur insists, looking pale. He sways a little, trying to steady himself on his feet as there's nothing to hold onto in the tent.

[ayoungboy]

"Good god," Merlin sighs, frowning at Arthur. "Why do you want to know?"

[royalpratness]

"Because you made me float in mid air through a potentially deadly obstacle course!"

[ayoungboy]

"O...kay?" Merlin rubs the sleep from his eyes. "Yes, I did. And you're alive. The magician accepts tips, you know."

[royalpratness]

Arthur crosses his arms in front of his chest. "Are you really trying to tell me that you can do magic?"

[ayoungboy]

"No, a gust of wind just picked you up off the floor." Merlin snorts. "Obviously, I possess magical properties, Mr. Pendragon."

[royalpratness]

"If that's true, then why on earth are you working here? You could make millions if you do have these abilities you claim to possess."

[ayoungboy]

"Um," Merlin blinks. "I could also be strung up. Least if I'm carnie, people can wave me off as a trickster."

bed time for me! o/

[royalpratness]

"You wouldn't be strung up if you're clever enough." Arthur frowns. "You'd clearly know how to defend yourself."

Night hun! <3

[ayoungboy]

Merlin studies Arthur for a long moment. "...you're a peculiar man, Mr. Pendragon. What are you trying to suggest?"

Is this guy after a business proposal?

[royalpratness]

"I'm not trying to suggest anything. I'm trying to understand why a man with your...abilities, would chose to spend his life here of all places."