[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

[razzledazzles]

I thought so, but you can never be sure.

[He meant well by it— sometimes trying over and over again like that is a sign of desperation more than gaining any progress, and it's when it's like that that someone should give in. But if Merlin is learning things... Jae-Ha can understand. He won't force him away from that.

He'll just keep bringing him snacks, and maybe like, a blanket.

Anyway, finally, he has to ask.]

Is there someone you know who caught this?

[politrick]

[There's a nonzero chance Merlin is going to sleep on the floor in here, so thanks for that eventual blanket... he'll appreciate it.

Anyway - he's heard names here and there, but he hasn't gotten around to checking in with anyone besides people who aren't sick, actually... Irony.]

One or two. I'd be here either way.

[razzledazzles]

Haha. You have an admirable personality in that way.

[He likes it! But that's gay to say out loud, and he'd say instead that Gi-gan would like it, but that's a depressing topic. So, he just fades awkwardly into silence, instead.]

Just let me know if I can do anything to help. [He uncrosses his arms, resting them back against the counter, instead. The pain is feeling better, how nice.] We may barely know each other, but I think we can get along.

[politrick]

[Yeah don't be too gay at him right after that painkiller incident, that might make it weird. Enjoy watching him tinker with ingredients here, in silence... he doesn't even talk to himself while he does it...]

Weren't we already getting along?

[razzledazzles]

Oh, you're admitting it? I thought you might be the type to shy away from that.

[He's so snappy.]

[politrick]

[Jae-Ha...?? Just because he's a prude doesn't mean he doesn't believe in beautiful friendship!!]

Well like you said, we barely know each other. You've learned something about me already.

[razzledazzles]

What a pleasant surprise.

[This rare not tsundere...] You keep so much in your head, I hardly know where to start. You seem worked up over all of this. Understandably, of course, but if I find you collapsed on the floor, I won't bring you a pillow.

[Yes he will...]

[politrick]

[He's only tsundere... about Arthur..... Anyway, this fake rudeness? He's not touching on the issue of keeping things inside; that's true! But it's a habit he's had to actually force himself to keep for years, so give him time.]

You already brought me food, so alright. That can be your good deed for the day.

[razzledazzles]

You still have to eat the rest of it. I don't usually bother with riceballs, but I thought I'd show you what they are.

[Delicious and easy to eat. Now make him some.]

[politrick]

[He's going to put roots that make you vom in them... no, but don't be needy.]

I have to eat it all at once? Picky, that. [Sighs... he does put down the honey thing and go back to consider another rice ball, at least. He's cooperating.]

[razzledazzles]

Not all at once, but if I don't remind you, you'll eat only those berries. That won't help an upset stomach at all.

[At least have some food in you! It's better. Probably.]

[politrick]

I eat more than berries! You've seen me eat more than berries.

[He makes you food ALL the time, you green jerk. Here, he's eating rice. See? See??

Perhaps Jae-Ha will see better if Merlin stares at him the whole time he eats this rice ball.]

[razzledazzles]

Okay, okay, I see you eating more than berries! Stop looking at me while you eat, it's weird.

[It's gross! Don't chew at him... Even though he's laughing.]

[politrick]

[CHEWS AT HIM...]

I'm just making sure you're keeping up! We're getting to know each other now.

[razzledazzles]

[TURNS AWAY...]

All I'm getting to know now is that you chew like an animal when you're making a point.

[politrick]

[JAE-HA, WHY DO YOU AVERT YOUR EYES]

Is it working?

[razzledazzles]

It's working!

[He won't joke about berries anymore, leave him alone! He can feel the eyes on his back!]

[politrick]

[Look at him! Endure! Nah he'll stop, he won this.]

Oh, good. I think we're getting along great.

[razzledazzles]

We'll see about that after your next potion. [Maybe he WON'T get a rag this time!!

No, he will.]

[politrick]

Thanks, that's generous. I'll remember that.

[Dragon jerk... Anyway, after he fusses with the next potion for a bit, he'll take a swig just like before. For a couple seconds he frowns, apparently not feeling any different, which might actually be a good thing—and then he just drops right to the floor, bye.]

[razzledazzles]

Merlin?!

[Immediately, Jae-Ha reacts, lurching forward to try and catch him or half catch him or at least brace his fall. He grabs at his shoulder with one hand.] Hey!

[politrick]

[And Merlin... instantly... opens his eyes. Was it a goof the whole time?? Yeah it was, caught you being tsundere.]

Good to know I won't crack my head open with you around. [Ha... ha!! He's great.] I'm not sure that one actually did anything but leave a bitter aftertaste. Even with the honey.

[razzledazzles]

[In response to that, Jae-Ha immediately drops him the couple more inches to the ground. He's angry, defensive, and flustered all in one, so he doesn't even know where to start.]

Do you think it's a good idea to be messing with me when these potions could have serious effects?

[He stands up, straightening out his robes, irritated and looking away as he mumbles.] I was seriously worried...

[politrick]

[Worth it... totally worth it... Merlin keeps grinning at him from the floor for a few more seconds before he moves to haul himself back upright. Heheh... a baby.]

I think it'd be easy to tell if I were really in trouble. But alright—I'm sorry. Have a berry, you'll feel better.

[razzledazzles]

[In response, he picks up a berry and flicks it expertly at the back of Merlin's head.]

If there was no reaction from you, could it be a solution for someone actually ill?