[mostly open, some closed, option 3: potion making]

[politrick]

Who: Merlin and you!!!! And some closed threads.
What: Event part 1 stuff, feat. potion making primarily
When: The days following the explosion
Where: The Institute & around town
Warning(s): he totally voms in one but that's it

in town

[There's something about crowds that makes the people in them compulsively crash into Merlin, he's sure. He's gangly but he's hard to miss for how tall he is, so really, it's just annoying now how often he has to shoulder past someone who walks into him without even trying to move out of the way. Come on.

Just now, a poorly-aligned shoulder smacking into his arm has caused him to drop a box, which spills what looks like medical supplies out onto the street.]

Oh, that's great. No, don't stop! Keep going! This is entirely my fault and not yours! Nobody needs these urgently!

[yeah that person is long gone, sorry Merlin]

incredibly crap potions, cw: vom

[Here's Merlin at the Institute—Dorian let him in and Merlin promptly dashed off to mess around with potion-making largely by himself, which is precisely what he was asked not to do, so you might catch him hastily explaining where he's supposed to be to some other staff member who really doesn't have time for this right now—

Or you'll find him in a room hard at work, mixing potions to try and relieve some of this awful sickness for the victims. He isn't sick, himself; reckless as he is, he has no intentions of purposely making himself ill when he can avoid it. He's seen what getting sick can do to someone in just a few days, especially when no one seems to know what's going on - people die from goddamn head colds in Camelot, Merlin is not fucking around.

But he kind of is. With the potions. Either you're just witnessing this or he actually asked you to stop and watch him in case something really bad happens when he pours a few mouthfuls of his latest experiment and immediately tips it back all at once. The faces he makes are unbelievable, and almost all of them come right before he politely excuses himself, turns away, and retches into a waste bin. Gross.]

Hand me— [He says, into the bin,] Hand me a clean rag, will you?

sneakin

[Here's another thing Merlin has to do, since he wants to get as much done with as little stopping to explain himself as possible: break into whatever store rooms and unlocked offices he can find. He needs more materials and he really doesn't want to stop and wait to explain why he's trying to mix some of these things—

But he'll inevitably get caught, whether by someone who knows something is not right in here or someone who just walks in. Merlin freezes, hands full of jars of something or other, and looks up.]

What are you doing in here? I'm busy; go on.

[What. Merlin. No.]

wildcard

[Do you want a custom prompt?! Slide me an idea on this post or hmu on jojoveller]

Comments

prior / gossip lifestyle / soon after the explosion

[politrick]

[Merlin doesn't hear about what's going on until a little while after it's happening. An explosion? People not injured, but... sick? It sounds like some kind of magic to him, honestly, being as he is not a person with advanced knowledge of bioterrorism, but whatever it actually is doesn't change the fact that he's worried about it. People in Camelot have died from less, when it comes to sickness, so— not great!

Prior is one of the people he's worried about personally, not only because the man is self-admittedly prone to weakness. They're friends! He assumes they're friends, anyway, and that's enough for him to give Prior a call— for once, he forgoes his horrible texting skills to prioritize making sense the first time.]

—Hello, Prior? It's Merlin. You weren't caught up in all of that unpleasantness, were you?

[priorly]

[Bless your heart, Merlin. Yes, friends. And this saves Prior a call in its own turn, which is something he'd have gotten to once the dust settled. It hasn't been a settled sort of a day at all and there's a brand new worry settling in with all the others he usually keeps tucked under his skin.

He smiles a little at the sound of the voice on the line.]

I was near enough to see the smoke, but I didn't inhale. [As the politician said to the actress.] And you sound whole enough to me, all limbs present and correct?

[politrick]

[There's a short sigh of relief from Merlin, at that; he's already making himself frantic trying to help strangers, so imagine if someone he actually knew was in trouble from all this? He'd probably explode.]

Good! That's good. I'm glad. And- and I'm very much in one piece, yes. I wasn't there when it... happened.

fitz / real stealth

[politrick]

[During the, who knows, 30 minutes Merlin isn't tiring himself out running around collecting stuff to make potions, he keeps himself busy going for a walk through the city. It's on this walk that he spots FitzChivalry trying to... do something? He can't really tell from here, but it looks like he's waiting for something.

And since people waiting for things want to be disturbed, always, it's then that Merlin appears at his elbow to lean in and half-whisper to him.]

What are you doing loitering around here? Did something interesting happen?

[Very inconspicuous.]

[badgerlock]

[Fitz is just trying to meet people who might have some information; he's been doing it since he heard about this disaster happening, and it makes him feel more like himself than anything he's done. No matter where he is, people are the same. Chade's lessons are the same no matter what.

And then there's Merlin.

He doesn't look surprised because he knows that he's coming, but still.]

I'm hardly loitering.

[That's exactly what he's doing.]

[politrick]

Looks rather like loitering from here.

[It does. Let him have this. He turns to follow Fitz's gaze, trying to guess who or what he's been looking at.]

What is this, if it isn't loitering? Admiring the locals from afar?

potions

[razzledazzles]

[Jae-Ha had just come to the Institute for any possible information, but you run across your housemate one second, you're asked to stay the next, and then there's vomiting? He feels like he should be surprised, but somehow, he's not.

Picking up a clean rag from one of the tables, he walks closer and leans over enough to pass it to him.]

Which part of this convinced you that this was a good idea?

[politrick]

[Hey buddy... thanks for the help. Merlin gratefully accepts the rag to wipe, uh, his mouth, straightening up after he does. Urgh.]

Better me than somebody else. Like you, for example. At least I know— [He makes a face, going a little pale as he resists going for the bin again. He's good, he's okay-] At least I know what's likely to happen if I get it wrong.

[razzledazzles]

[Well, talking like that makes Jae-Ha shut up, at least. He frowns to himself, thinking on it as he brings a hand to Merlin's back for a comforting little rub.]

That's awfully selfless of you. But what happens when the risk goes beyond getting a little sick to your stomach?

Town

[fractaljesus]

[Since the explosion, the city has been abuzz with activity. Rumors, panic, people with supplies to help the sick and injured... The man in white remains placid despite the unrest, calmly making his way through crowds as he listens.

'--This is entirely my fault and not yours! Nobody needs these urgently!'

This voice is nearby. So nearby that all Yaha-kui zaShunina needs to do it turn his head to find the source of it--a tall, gangly man fretting over scattered medical supplies. Going by his words, he doesn't seem to require assistance, but sarcasm is not a subtlety of language zaShunina has been able to grasp yet.]

That is incorrect--they are required. [He says, picking up a bottle off the ground with a disembodied hand to return it to Merlin.]

[politrick]

[Merlin hears the comment before he sees zaShunina, and it doesn't occur to him immediately that someone just doesn't understand irritated sarcasm, so—]

I'm aware of that, don't waste more of my time— I'll have that back, thanks.

[And he snatches the bottle back like it wasn't actually being offered freely to him. Then he notices that arm isn't attached to anyone, and looks up from where he's scrambling to get his box back in order. Whaaaat...]

—Well, if you're going to do that with your arms, help me with this!

In Town

[likethelight]

[ It would be a hard scene to miss as well.. even if it's pretty understandable. Everyone is in a bit of a disarray after all. It's annoying when someone basically trips over you without so much as a blink and just bulldozes on—but it's understandable.

Everyone is worried.

It's why Merlin will find another boy bending down as well, actually. To help him start to gather his spilled belongings up, before he's even really looked to see what they were. Pale hair and pale eyes, a bright red mark on his face that ends in a star on his brow—and a sheepish sort of smile. ]

Sorry— [ for intruding, haha. but really he just sympathizes ] I think everyone is still really distracted.

Are you alright...?

[politrick]

[Merlin scoffs, not looking up from his hurried attempt to gather his things back into the box before they're kicked away or stepped on by more worried passerby.]

They're going to get us all sick or worse if they carry on not paying attention. I'm not going to excuse carelessness at a time like this!

[HUFF... but alright, now he looks at the boy who's come to his aid. Yep, that's one hell of a face... thing. Merlin's brow furrows, but he doesn't comment on it.]

I'm— [don't snap at the helpful boy] I'm alright, yes. Thank you. I was in a hurry...

i'm here about crap potions

[punshots]

[ Honestly, he's really only here looking for Alisaie - he doesn't have the academic fortitude to hope to contribute to the research for a cure AT ALL.

But that doesn't mean he won't stop when he sees another familiar face that's...weirdly contorted. Merlin???? What are you doing, what are all those questionable bottles, oh my gods, what did he just drink??? Well, whatever it was, he sure just ralphed it into the garbage.

Prompto is quick to pick up a rag to hand him, brow slightly bewildered, but mostly concerned. ]

Dude, I think the idea is to cure sickness, not make more of it!

thank goodness

[politrick]

[Look Prompto, he asked for a rag, not a judgment! Give him a moment to groan into this trash bin before he takes the rag and wipes his face... still leaning over the trash, so he doesn't have to advertise too much of his grossness right now.

Yeah, awesome. So that's not the right potion combo.]

I'm doing the best I can, believe it or not. Don't- don't touch anything, I should probably burn that batch...

busted.

[rememberher]

[ And it would be his luck that the girl who has walked in on him filching at least a week's supply of potion bottles has a thing against breaking the law. Like he's probably doing. He certainly doesn't look like he belongs there, especially with that look on his face.

Where she came here to retrieve more supplies herself, she hardly expected a man (man boy?) looking like the literal kid with his hand caught in a cookie jar. She isn't quite expecting that, and it stops her right in her tracks.

Normally she would brow beat him, possibly lecture him about how STEALING IS WRONG, and any number of things she might say to a petty thief like him. ]

No?

[ But instead he gets eloquence at its very finest. ]

[politrick]

[This probably isn't law breaking! Rule breaking, certainly, but surely... he can have these bottles. Who is going to miss them? They'll be put to good use.

But his clever strategy hasn't worked, so for a moment he just stands there before he scoffs and shakes his head, like he's very much the person who should be messing around in this store room and not, like, some guy an actual employee let in through the back.]

Well, make it quick. I do have things to do.

vomit!!!!! anyway plotting whats plotting yolo

[exonerated]

[ Edmund is at the Institute, not to create potions — but to bring bags full of several ingredients he'd gathered and/or hunted from outside, needed by the brilliant minds in the Institute's esteemed labs, if they ever do need something to spice of their experiments, so to speak. He stopped by Alan Foster first, before sliding into the next couple rooms — and just in time to watch Merlin drink a potion and quickly depositing his own creation into a bin.

Amazing. ]

Uh. [ After a split-second, he rushes to grab a clean rag, then hands it over. ] Will you be fine, or—?

[ Should he call...a doctor... maybe?? ]

yolo indeed..... yolo indeed

[politrick]

[Look, Edmund. This is a brilliant mind at work, although mercifully for the Institute not one on their payroll. He probably won't be allowed to sneak in the back anymore after this, if someone important catches him engaging in not-quite-best-practice back here, but until then - here he is. Losing his potion in the worst way possible.

He gratefully grabs the rag, wiping his mouth and face while still stooped over the bin, before he glances to see who's come to his aid. Oh, hey.]

I'm alright! I'm fine, this is nothing. This— [he promptly smacks his chin on the edge of the bin as he hastily straightens up, wincing.] ...This isn't a big problem, as far as big problems go...

in town;

[unprays]

[ she doesn't yet feel sick enough to stay home — slightly dizzy at times, yes, with a cough that refuses to leave her lungs, but she ignores it and goes out regardless.

and when she hears his voice in the crowd, passive-aggressive in his own special way, she pushes her way through the mass of people until she makes it to where the medical supplies are scattered all over the ground. ]

Merlin? [ she offers him a slight, sympathetic smile. ] Do you need help with those?

[politrick]

[Merlin glances up from his hasty scrambling to get his supplies back, pausing and managing a short smile when he sees her. He's not going to snap at Sansa, he has more tact than that...]

No— well, yes, but you shouldn't trouble yourself— unless you want to. Up to you.

[So Merlin's day is going great.]

town

[tummyflowers]

[Richard was in a state. There was a plague loose and Richard was beside himself with concern. Not really for the people, since he didn't really know anyone that was sick sick. But he did not a some-dragon that was sick. Which was why he was bustling through town with his OWN box. He's not the person who causes Merlin to knock his stuff over, but he is that one asshole who doesn't notice and steps on one of the vials while Merlin is picking them up.]

Oh for God's sake, Merlin! Enough with this floor business! Things are SERIOUS!

[politrick]

[Richard is the last person Merlin needs to deal with right now, kneeling on the ground trying to pick up all this stuff before- look! People start stepping on his things! At least he manages to pull his hand out of the way in time, but now he's testy about it.]

You've broken it! Watch where you're going, you overcooked ham!

[Yeah that is one for the record books.]

we're the best around

[flashystyle]

[Surprisingly, Dorian has not regret his decision in letting Merlin go wild with their inventory. He didn't really expect anything out of it, but he's made a few passes by to make sure he's not just getting himself dirty again, and... he isn't? He's actually working, and maybe the garbage smells like vomit when he finally decides to grace him with his presence again, but that's fine. This is all fine.]

You know, that vendor who's business we ruined came in saying he's had dragon bone all this time, and he could sell it at a price. I told him our expert was here, and he ran off before I could fetch you. [What's up... he's going to lean on this table all smoothly because he thinks he knows more.] Have you made something edible?

who's this

[politrick]

[Merlin has completely ignored Dorian since sneaking in through the back door, so it's working out great. He looks up from the certified mess he's making on the table when Dorian comes in, frowning. What is he... oh.]

Did you tell him where he can shove his dragon bones? [yEAH!!!!! Anyway,] I'm not making snacks, you know.