(no subject)

[pointed-spoon.livejournal.com]

You know those people who only appear when you least want them? They're gone for ages and then wham-bam back again?




Dworkin is sipping wine, sitting at the Observation Window, watching the destruction outside.

Comments

[binaried.livejournal.com]

"Thanks."

The cigarette is thusly set on fire, lighter once again tucked away into his pocket. Merlin starts when he is named so casually, and has to prevent himself from glancing around to see if anyone heard.

"I graduated from a human college yesterday with a degree in computer science. And I almost got run over by a truck the day before."

[pointed-spoon.livejournal.com]

"Because they're out to get you, Merlin."

Dworkin advises him of this sincerely. He's probably kidding. Isn't he kidding? He's clearly kidding. Right? Right?

[binaried.livejournal.com]

Merlin is now officially creeped out. He won't let Dworkin know if his life depended on it, and it just might, but ... his grandsire is supposed to be slightly mad. Right?

"Everyone always is."

Sigh.

[pointed-spoon.livejournal.com]

"Do you blame them?"

His tone is full of scalpels. His hand curls around the wine glass.

[binaried.livejournal.com]

In this instance, Merlin has decided to answer as truthfully as he can. Even if it may not make sense.

"Sometimes I do. I hate being on the outside most of the time. On the other hand, there are times I feel lucky to have been allowed to go my own way. There are so many unanswered questions in the universe. All out there waiting to be discovered."

Yes. He's rambling.

[pointed-spoon.livejournal.com]

"They're wrong."

Just so that he knows.

"Nothing that happens isn't for a reason, and you, who have traced the geometry of worlds with your feet, you should know this better than the rest of them."

[binaried.livejournal.com]

Dworkin doesn't get an answer right away. His great-grandson turns his attention to the window, allowing his mind to wander down well-trod avenues, and then down little-used trails until he has to concede the man's words as entirely correct.

"I should." Another low sigh. "And occasionally I do." This said with the tone of a man who loathes the idea that his future is already fully mapped out for him.

Somewhere.

[pointed-spoon.livejournal.com]

They all get used to it eventually, Dworkin thinks with some amusement, even if it takes a little bit of a fight at first. That's only natural. It can't be helped. Their kind like to think they're so enlightened, but really?

Well.

"I do not have anything else to say about that for you."

[binaried.livejournal.com]

What's that human saying about leading a horse to water and then forcing it to drink? Or something like that.

"I appreciate that you've talked to me at all, great-grandfather."

He is entirely serious.

[pointed-spoon.livejournal.com]

"You're like your aunt, a little."

Bewildered affection.

[binaried.livejournal.com]

"If you are referring to aunt Fiona, then I will take that as a compliment."

She's one of Merlin's favorite people.

[pointed-spoon.livejournal.com]

"Tell me about the courts."

He's not managing precisely normal conversation, but close.

[binaried.livejournal.com]

"Haven't been back home in a few years, but things were beginning to take on a sense of normality. It was pretty bad right after the War."

They lost so many people, so much destruction. It's not a time Merlin likes to think about.