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Post by carcinoGeneticist on Apr 25, 2010 21:20:06 GMT -5
Really, there was no good way for the King to respond to that, so he simply nodded and ran his claws through his hair. This situation was just... there were no words for any of it, and he sincerely doubted that he was going to get any sort of real satisfaction. From his reading, he didn't see any way that he would.
Stepping into the nursery gave the King a much needed distraction. He needed to be patient, but it was difficult to do when the subject of patience was standing right there and being... wrong. The nursery was as bright and happy as ever, and Apocalypse shrugged in response to the other feline's statement. "Nobles around here are getting to be quite famous for their virility. I can't say I've done a lot to dispel that image, and you aren't exactly helping things in that regard." He raised an eyebrow, letting a small smile flicker across his features. "They'll be safe in here. Now..."
Back to that singularly frustrating issue. Apocalypse took another deep breath. "Would you like to speak out in the gardens? I can call for someone to bring us something to eat - sandwiches, perhaps."
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Post by Nako on Apr 25, 2010 21:30:10 GMT -5
Merlin's mouth opened to retort that statement, but the grin on Apocalypse's face made it obvious that he'd only meant it in jest. How good a thing it was that he wore his bipedal form today; Merlin found it much easier to read than that human face he'd worn when they first met, however handsome it was.
"Perhaps.. somewhere more private. Where we may not be heard or seen? Some of the things I must share with you must be done so in utmost.. ah.. secrecy." His tone hinted that if he had not been talking about something so important, he might have attempted to twist that into a more humorous pun. But what needed to be spoken of was certainly no joke. The man's ease at which he took the information, and the relative patience he showed was heartening for the Joker. Perhaps... perhaps he'd be able to tell him what he probably wanted to know. It would certainly make things much easier in the years ahead dealing with the children.
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Post by carcinoGeneticist on Apr 25, 2010 21:48:22 GMT -5
Humorously, Apocalypse was wishing he hadn't indulged in use of his biped form today. He was much more comfortable in his human form, and he felt he was better able to keep his emotions quiet. Like this, he knew he was an open book, and that... That was more than a little frustrating, and his tail twitched rapidly from side to side in a clear indication of that. It felt as though the time had passed for him to assume a different form, however, so he tried to stop focusing on that issue and instead on the issue that was more pressing.
"My room, then. It's one of the only places in the Palace where I can feel comfortable that I'm not being watched." A few strong words he'd shared with Peaches had made him feel even more secure in that fact. He didn't particularly want to bring a strange woman into his room, but he also wanted answers. "If you'll... follow me. I assure you, my intentions are entirely pure. For now."
A little joking might have served to lessen the tension, or so Apocalypse hoped. It certainly made it easier for him to remain lighthearted, when that frustration and anxiety was still twisting away at his guts. A moment later and they were walking down the hall towards the man's room. He invited her inside, then shut the door behind them, giving the room a quick glance-over. "I can still order food for us, if you'd like." Damn it, his heart had started pounding again. This tenseness just didn't feel healthy.
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Post by Nako on Apr 25, 2010 23:46:55 GMT -5
The disguised Joker was able to give off a somewhat lame laugh at Apocalypse's attempt at a joke. After the rumors Merlin had heard about the King of Hearts, he was beginning to wonder if the man liked... men at all. He'd heard the Bog dweller loved his -women-. The same couldn't be said for men.
Merlin also surveyed the room, his keen eyes taking in the sparseness of it before finding his way to a table to sit down. "Perhaps after we talk. I do not wish to be interrupted." That perhaps came off as a bit sharp, and the Avington tilted an ear off to one side and offered a small, apologetic smile. "Now.. you understand that there may be some things I cannot answer, so if I say something to that effect, I will be most gracious if you take it in stride. You -may- though, ask me a question... to keep things prioritized by level of importance to you." Merlin looked up expectantly at the fellow biped, awaiting whatever the man threw at him.
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Post by carcinoGeneticist on Apr 26, 2010 0:42:16 GMT -5
Well, that certainly didn't sound like an entirely genuine laugh. The caracal's ear twitched at the sound of it, and he almost winced. At least he'd tried to lighten the situation with a joke - that had to count for something, right? Even if the attempt had taken a rather spectacular nosedive..
As the woman settled herself atop the table, Apocalypse stood somewhat stiffly near his bed, wondering if he should sit down as well. Part of him wanted to keep standing, but it just didn't feel right, and his tail curled with agitation. Sit, stand, it didn't really matter, did it? He didn't want to seem intimidating, but he rather felt it, just standing there with his giant claws extended. Carefully, he leaned back against the bed with a quiet sigh, glancing up at the Avington when she began to speak. Her words were considered carefully before he decided to respond, and even then, he seemed to be thinking quite hard about everything he said.
"I appreciate the opportunity. I understand that it's quite a big deal for you to give it in the first place." He bit his lower lip softly, chewing on it with a caution that years of experience with sharp teeth would give. "I... There are a lot of questions. And a lot of frustration. I'm almost not sure where to start, not sure what is the most important." All of those inconsistencies, starting from the small ones and going all the way up to the breeds of his children.
Apocalypse's glance fell to the floor, where he stared for several long seconds. Finally, he glanced back at the feline, his ears drooping slightly. "What is your name, really?" Such a simple question, but it was somewhere to start.
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Post by Nako on Apr 26, 2010 0:52:20 GMT -5
Ah, a sharp one, he was. It would only make sense that the name he'd given those months ago was nothing short of false. He crossed his legs to rest his elbows upon it, and then his chin atop the flat of his hand.
"Merlin." He stated quite plainly. Perhaps there should have been more of a flourish to it... but his last name was not something he wished to give. It brought up painful memories. "And that is not a name I give out lightly. It is the name behind the names."
He leaned back now, straightening up his back and gathering himself in his usual way. He'd feel much more comfortable if he had his true form where he could use his wings for balance, and to stretch them to ease his tension. "I am ready for your next question."
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Post by carcinoGeneticist on Apr 26, 2010 1:04:53 GMT -5
Without realizing it, Apocalypse had begun to hold his breath as soon as the question was out. For what seemed like a simple question, there was quite a lot that seemed to be hanging in the balance based on the feline's answer. When he got his answer, the King nodded shortly, his eyes closing as he let out the breath.
Could it be?
Perhaps to the Raemblen, the possibility that the woman standing in front of him was a Joker was most likely than it might have been to the average man-on-the-street. But Apocalypse knew Jokers. He had one locked up in the Court right now, he'd seen one during his first trip to the Bog, even before he'd been a person of his own, and he'd known Rhiannon's own son. Their abilities weren't a mystery to him, and even set his teeth on edge. The reaction he'd had when he'd slept with the woman, her masculine name, what their children were...
"That isn't your real rank, is it?" Almost as soon as Merlin asked for it, the question was out, followed by another long glance. "And... You're some kind of mixed-breed, right? Canine and avian, like... like our children." Was there any alternative? Apocalypse's heart was beating much harder in his head, as he edged in on what he felt certain was confirmation of a discovery.
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Post by Nako on Apr 26, 2010 1:13:16 GMT -5
Merlin's ear gave a quick twitch, suddenly growing very still. It would make sense... that the King of Hearts would know these things. They knew so many things... so many secrets, or that was what so many conspiracy theorists had spoke of for so many centuries. Without realizing it, he'd been holding his breath as well. Merlin let out a slow exhale.
"I take it you realize what you are insinuating could have me killed. What you are insinuating... threatens my life and livelihood. It threatens my very soul. You realize this, yes? You realize the risk that is in me admitting to such a thing?
His eyes had lowered for a moment, but they snapped back upward to catch the man's gaze, suddenly intense and calculating."Do I have your word, King of Hearts? Do I have your word that no harm will befall me or my children?"
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Post by carcinoGeneticist on Apr 26, 2010 1:26:23 GMT -5
Perhaps some other King with another set of life experiences wouldn't have known. Perhaps they wouldn't have suspected that such a legend was real, and never would have even thought to suggest it. But Apocalypse knew. He knew in perfect detail exactly how real Jokers were, and his mind could offer no alternate theories about this strange woman - man - and the children they'd somehow produced together.
"I realize exactly what it means," Apocalypse replied, his voice surprisingly calm. He'd expected it might sound a little different. More nervous, perhaps. But he sounded calm. He crossed his arms over his chest, lightly tapping his shoulder with one long claw. "And I'm not asking you to step outside of your boundaries. If you aren't comfortable with telling me, then I'll keep my assumptions to myself until the day comes that you are able to talk more... openly." When Merlin made eye contact, the King held it unblinkingly.
When it came down to it, Apocalypse didn't know how he felt about this - any of this. The woman was a man, and she was almost certainly a Joker, on top of that. Not only had she - he - lured him into bed, but there had been children as a result, and now... He was going to have to come to terms with this all eventually.
He bowed his head. "You have my word, on my honor as the King of my Suit. They are our children, Merlin. I cannot allow anything to harm them, and that includes the loss of one of their parents."
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Post by Nako on Apr 26, 2010 1:38:06 GMT -5
Merlin closed his eyes for a moment, registering everything the man had just said to him. Okay. that was good enough. It -had- to be. At this point and time he just wanted it to be over. He either wanted it to go smoothly, or go horribly so he could just -run-. Maybe.. just maybe he could figure out some way to find his kids and get to safety if something... went wrong.
"Alright.. woo... okay. Just. Just don't scream... or run.. or.. attack me- oh, you get the idea." He slid off the desk. "You.. pretty much know. It's just easier to show you.. than to say it."
He bounced on the balls of his heels a bit, biting his lip. Gosh, it was like peeing while someone was looking; uncomfortable. But sometimes it was easy to just.. let it go.
His form warped and shifted, the colors remaining somewhat similar but shifting in hue and saturation. It became a much more intense green, with a different hue of cream as his ears grew, his form growing taller and his legs becoming hairless and scaley. A feline tail became bushier and feathers sprouted along his spine and at the base of his tail. Lastly, a regal pair of wings sprouted from his back. And then there he was... a chest bare of any rank. But those eyes... they always stayed the same... Bog-like and thin slitted.
Self conscious, he crossed his arms in front of himself, unsure of what to say.
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