(no subject)

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

[Today Merlin is hard at work. This is, really, nothing new at all. In fact, he's always working. Do this, do that, go here, go there--

He's not bitter. Really. ...Sigh.

Anyway, he's sitting on the ground with a few pairs of boots around him. A wooden basin of murky, sudsy water is next to him and a glass jar of some sort of wax substance in front of him. He is tending to the boots with care and making sure they are good and clean. He seems very involved with his work and despite being tired of chores, he's humming.

A few of the boots have holes and tears but he has a patch kit nearby, too. Merlin has it all covered. He's a good servant, after all.]

Comments

[destinedking.livejournal.com]

[Arthur spots his favourite most annoying manservant and scowls as he sees what Merlin is up to]

Merlin. What do you think you are doing?

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

[Well hey mister stinky feet.

Merlin looks at him in a 'duh' way.] ...Cleaning and mending your boots?

[destinedking.livejournal.com]

[his feet don't stink B|!]

It's like you enjoy finding ways to prove how stupid you can be. Really, I mean Merlin, do you ever stop to actually think? [he knocks Merlin's head, and then bends down so he's at his level, his voice lower so only Merlin can hear] Only an idiot would clean and mend a prince's boots in public. I do have a reputation to uphold. [and he stands back up again]

[grand-gaia.livejournal.com]

Do you...need a hand?

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

[He smiles up at him.] Nah, it's all right. This isn't too bad. I've got all the time I want here.

[grand-gaia.livejournal.com]

If you say so. Working with boots can be a pain.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

You're doing all of that by hand? What a waste of time.

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

[He sighs.] I can't just use magic for everything. It'd be suspicious. "Oh, Merlin, you finished all the work I gave you in three minutes. Like a wizard or something!"

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

{Chuckles} It doesn't really matter here either way, though, does it?

[madamemoiselle.livejournal.com]

...Why don't you just buy a new pair of shoes? Those look really nasty.

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

Oh, they're not mine. They're Arthur's. I have to make them look new again. [As an afterthought.] They smell worse than they look, trust me. He trains in these.

[collector]

[Brax looks at this strange practice with great curiosity]

Are you... shoe-shining? I haven't seen anyone do that since my hop back to the Diogenes Club at least a decade ago.

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

[Merlin blinks up at him.] Never heard of it, sir. This is just part of my chores but yeah. I'm trying to fix them up.

[maturelildevil.livejournal.com]

Ohhhhh, is this a new service the Plane is offering? [he drops off the Plane and returns with a sack of dress shoes belonging both to him and Hikaru] There you are! I'll tip you well if you get them done in an hour.

[he may or may not be serious about the entire thing.]

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

[It is difficult for Merlin to entirely believe what just happened.]

Did you just- Did you just think... I'm not your servant! I'm Arthur's. That...that probably doesn't help, yeah.

[bytwo.livejournal.com]

[Someone who is utterly devoid of shoes, boots or otherwise, and also suddenly inexplicably glad she is wearing a pretty sundress with a likewise pretty crochet lace vest spots him. The next step, therefore, is clearly to say "Hi" in a shy, head-ducked sort of way, and look like she'd very much like to sit down but needs permission.]

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

[He notices and pushes some boots aside, smiling shyly.] Yeah, go ahead. Uhm, how are you?

[breathenothing.livejournal.com]

[Naminé watches, curious, then slowly makes her way over.]

That looks like hard work... Do you need any help, or something?

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

[He smiles up at her, holding up the boots.] No, no, don't you worry about it. It's not exactly fun but... I'll be okay. But thanks, though. Not often I hear that.

[everdistant_utopia]

[Now that looks awful familiar...the sort of thing that Kay made her do during her stint as his squire. And while some of the things he had tasked her with had been simple bullying, she had completed them with not a word of complaint. A slight frown flickered across her features: she should have taken that path and allowed someone more suitable to become king.

But in the here and now, burdening a squire with more work than what was truly necessary was an affront to her sensibilities.]

Are you in need of assistance?

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

[He's really surprised at any offers and smiles at her.] I couldn't make others do all my work. Doesn't seem right.

[dritte-tochter.livejournal.com]

[just watches a few minutes, making a weird face because ew, what is he doing?]

I don't think those can be fixed anymore, desu.

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

[He looks up at her and then at the boots with a laugh. The strangely dressed little kid is right!] Probably not, but I've got to try.

[ram-of-gold.livejournal.com]

[Shion watches for a moment before speaking up] Some of those look as if they are beyond any sort of help.

[behindhiswords.livejournal.com]

[Merlin looks up with a slight laugh.] Probably are. But I'll do what I can for them.