Sizhui, being the helpful young man he always is, had gone to collect some important things; light food and drink (just bread, clear soup and water at the moment), alongside bandages, medicinal herbs and clean rags he might need for cleaning up any wounds the stranger has. He's returning right as Merlin is waking up, barely hears the call of ‘hello?’ before he's carefully opening the door.
“Ah, you're awake!” Once he can squeeze inside with everything, the door gets shut then he moves toward Merlin, tentative yet offering a small smile. Can this man even understand him? He's unsure, but that doesn't stop him from heading for the nearby table to set the food down first.
Clearly, not in Albion as he's not able to understand what the young man
just said. He doesn't seem...dangerous. Merlin peers as he sets down the
tray of things that smell...well, delicious if his growling stomach is
anything to go by. He sits up a little bit more and watches as his host
sets down the tray.
"Where am I?" he asks slowly, hoping the other would understand him.
Oh no is right! Much to Sizhui's dismay, he can't understand a single word Merlin's said, either.
He opens his mouth, hesitates, closes it again when he figures there's no reason to say anything else, the other male won't be able to understand him. His brow furrows, lips pinched and nose wrinkled thoughtfully. There are quick fixes for this, he's sure, but taking into account he very likely shouldn't have brought Merlin into Cloud Recesses without proper permission, those will have to wait until the cat is out of the bag.
Unfortunately, whenever Merlin continues trying, he can't help shaking his head. While he doesn't understand, it doesn't mean he can't keep helping. “Mmn,” and Sizhui gestures toward the food, figuring they ought to start there first, then perhaps he can figure out how to explain he's in ancient China without actually using words.
No. All right, he could understand the universal headshake. He presses his
mouth into a thin line and follows his gesture towards the food that had
been laid out. Again, Merlin's stomach growls at the smell of it. He looks
at his host again and swings his legs out of the bed before slowly
standing. Huh, the lad must be a bit younger than him. He's certainly
smaller.
As Merlin shifts and goes to stand, Sizhui's gaze stays steadily fixed on him, observing how he moves, if there are any visible injuries or worse. From what he can tell though, he seems alright and there's an obvious relaxation in the slope of his shoulders at the realization. He's younger, it's true, but only by a couple years, give or take. Over that span, however, he hasn't gotten much taller (and doesn't seem to be growing anymore).
“Merlin,” he repeats, thickly accented, but intelligible despite that.
His hand is spared the briefest glance then Sizhui politely inclines his head, straightens, copies Merlin by resting a hand over his own chest and offering his name in kind, “Sizhui.”
A quirk to his lips at how the other man says his name. Mah-lin It's
better than some others that he's gotten over the years. When he introduces
himself, Merlin squints his eyes, trying to recreate the words silently
before trying it out.
"Soog-way?" he tries.
It doesn't sound as elegant as how his friend had introduced himself. He
gives an apologetic smile as he walks over to where the food is and sits
down to it, sniffing at it.
"Sizhui?" he tries again with a hopeful smile. "Did I get it right?"
He can't help it, the way Merlin says his name at first makes him grin, an expression he desperately tries covering with a long, flowing sleeve. The Lan disciple is well-aware he likely didn't pronounce the other male's name entirely correct either, but that's alright.
Before he can shake his head in disagreement, Merlin moves toward the food and Sizhui figures it best to not make him feel self-conscious. They can work on it later after he's eaten and once he's certain Merlin's (mostly) unharmed.
Although, he's far more determined than Sizhui's given him credit and with his second attempt, he nods this time, regardless of not understanding being asked if he'd gotten it right; the way he'd spoken his name initially is enough reassurance, he hopes. Really, he ought to go talk to Hanguang-jun about a translation talisman or bother Wei-qianbei for an enchanted bauble Merlin could hold and be understood with.
But curiosity has gotten the better of him. That, and leaving Merlin alone for too long makes him nervous because who knows how much trouble he might get into for bringing a stranger in?
The food is different. The nod is a good affirmative and Merlin files it
away - Sizhui. But still, they had to find a way to understand each other.
This would've been far more easy if he had his book with him. But no, it
was back in Camelot. Well, not that he had anticipated being transported
across...space? Time? He's seen a few people from what they had called the
Eastern Kingdom come to Albion and Camelot for tournaments. Once he
finishes, he wipes at the back of his hand and looks at his host.
"Thank you," he says, "Sizhui."
There's got to be a way. Butterflies are always a hit, right? He brings his
hands together to cup around each other and his eyes glow a golden color.
"Beflīeheþ beoht buterflége."
He opens his hands again and beautiful, golden butterflies of light appear
and flutter around the room.
Medicinal almost, really. Lan Clan is known for their ascetic lifestyle, after all, and the cuisine isn't any different. While Merlin busies himself with eating, Sizhui moves gracefully about the room, straightening up any misplaced things, spreading the healing items out on the nearby low table and moving to light a stick of incense before his attention is back on his guest. Fortunately, his appetite isn't lacking, which is a huge relief.
He nods understandingly, figuring it the best response since they can't understand one another otherwise. Seriously, at some point, he'll need to figure something out so they won't have to fumble with a language barrier.
Watching Merlin cup his hands together isn't too worrisome at first, but once his eyes start glowing, Sizhui's posture tightens, blatantly uneasy at the idea he might've put his sect (and himself) in danger. He opens his mouth, readying to start pleading for Merlin to not harm them, regardless of their not being able to understand each other.
Right before the panic really starts setting in, Merlin's hands open again and— “Oh!” he exclaims emphatically, eyes wide and mouth hanging open with astonishment as the pretty butterflies begin flittering around the room, reminiscent of Jin's golden butterflies or Wei-qianbei's talismans. “How wonderful...”
He gives a soft smile when guarded becomes wonder. He knows it’s probably not so wise to show his magic but he had to been summoned here by magic and his rescuer doesn’t seem too put off by magic. And he swore he had heard music that was just so soothing to his injuries.
The butterflies fade and Merlin smiles at his rescuer once more, hoping his reckless display of magic wouldn’t...cause trouble.
“...I probably shouldn’t have done that,” he says quietly. But his rescuer, his benefactor, seems harmless enough. A contemplative look passes over his face as he purses his lips. Maybe...maybe he could try a spell on his own.
In spite of himself, he gets entranced by the mysticism of the display, one hand reaching up like he might actually attempt touching one. What Merlin doesn't know is that this is something normal here; the abilities aren't anything he'll have to hide, not where magic is sometimes even used during daily mundane tasks.
Sizhui's fingertips almost brush a sparkling butterfly as they start to disappear and once it fully vanishes, he withdraws, rubs the pad of his thumb over his other fingers then grins so exuberantly, it's a wonder he can contain his excitement.
From a nearby shelf, he removes a piece of red paper and folds it carefully, meticulously into a pretty haitang flower. After it's finished and set in his palm, Sizhui reaches the opposite hand to hold his first two fingers straight up, eyes shut in concentration, then they reopen as he drifts both digits over the paper. It alights with a brilliant spark, petals suddenly translucent-looking like a miniature lantern that he offers Merlin. See? Everything's fine, nothing to panic about.
His anxiety rises until Sizhui returns with a red piece of paper, carefully
folding it until it becomes a flower. His eyes widen almost comically when
the other uses magic to give it further form and light. He stares , open
mouthed, at it, then at his benefactor before gently taking it in his
hands.
“No ones ever done something like this for me before,” he breathes.
There had to be something. Some way for them to communicate. Merlin
concentrates hard to try and recall anything from the grimmoire that had to
do with languages. Or any of Gaius’ dusty books.
More words fall from his lips in an almost hissing language as his eyes
glow golden for a moment.
“...did it work?”
If it did, then he would be able to speak the other’s language.
Gingerly as possible, he passes the shimmering flower from his hands into Merlin's, tightly pressing his lips so a full-on grin won't overtake his expression. Have a little self-control, comes the soft scolding voice of his master, and yet the edges of his mouth curve anyway.
Disregarding the fact he still cannot understand, “I hope you like it,” Sizhui murmurs, lowering his hands afterward, thumbs rubbing across the length of his fingers. This is the first time he's used that spell and he's delighted it worked alright.
From where he's standing, it seems like something is... well, not concerning, per se, but something's definitely up? Merlin's distracted briefly, rasping a sentence Sizhui's unable to interpret, his eyes suddenly alighting gold again. He waits, patient as ever, then whenever the other male speaks and he can understand him, there's an audible awestricken gasp.
“Considering I was able to comprehend that, I'd say yes!” he chuckles, excitedly clasps both hands together and sighs, whimsical-like. “Magnificent, Merlin.”
He beams, laughing in relief that his spell works. Merlin quickly bows, at
the waist, careful to hold onto the flower.
"Merlin. From Camelot. I'm manservant to Prince Arthur Pendragon. This...is
this magic? Is magic..." The question hangs in his lungs, Merlin almost not
wanting to ruin the moment by asking but he presses on. "Is
magic...legal...here?"
Sizhui returns the gesture with a bow of his own, though his arms are circled in front of himself while he does. However, he immediately straightens at the mention of ‘manservant,’ his expression knitted in confusion.
“Camelot? Prince Arthur?” No, neither of those are familiar, but the mention of magic sure has his attention again, especially when Merlin asks if it's legal. He reaches up, cups a hand around his face to muffle his soft laughter then nods affirmingly. “Yes, magic is absolutely fine to use here.”
"It isn't where I'm from," Merlin says quietly. "Even if you're born with
magic, you're put to death." He shakes his head. No need to bore his new
friend with Camelot's dark past. "I'm not...really sure how I got here,
actually."
Well, not anymore, now that Merlin's mentioned that.
He's immediately pinching his lips together instead after realizing his outward blunder, inclining his head and chewing his cheek thoughtfully. How to fix this? “I'm sorry,” Sizhui starts, upturning his attention again, “but rest assured, you needn't worry about using your powers here.” No one will harm him either way, he'll make certain of it. “And my assumption is that something actually went wrong magic-wise.”
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houseofsushi2020-05-22 10:34 pm
no subject
“Ah, you're awake!” Once he can squeeze inside with everything, the door gets shut then he moves toward Merlin, tentative yet offering a small smile. Can this man even understand him? He's unsure, but that doesn't stop him from heading for the nearby table to set the food down first.
no subject
Oh no. Uh. He gives a hesitant smile.
"Um..."
Clearly, not in Albion as he's not able to understand what the young man just said. He doesn't seem...dangerous. Merlin peers as he sets down the tray of things that smell...well, delicious if his growling stomach is anything to go by. He sits up a little bit more and watches as his host sets down the tray.
"Where am I?" he asks slowly, hoping the other would understand him.
no subject
He opens his mouth, hesitates, closes it again when he figures there's no reason to say anything else, the other male won't be able to understand him. His brow furrows, lips pinched and nose wrinkled thoughtfully. There are quick fixes for this, he's sure, but taking into account he very likely shouldn't have brought Merlin into Cloud Recesses without proper permission, those will have to wait until the cat is out of the bag.
Unfortunately, whenever Merlin continues trying, he can't help shaking his head. While he doesn't understand, it doesn't mean he can't keep helping. “Mmn,” and Sizhui gestures toward the food, figuring they ought to start there first, then perhaps he can figure out how to explain he's in ancient China without actually using words.
no subject
No. All right, he could understand the universal headshake. He presses his mouth into a thin line and follows his gesture towards the food that had been laid out. Again, Merlin's stomach growls at the smell of it. He looks at his host again and swings his legs out of the bed before slowly standing. Huh, the lad must be a bit younger than him. He's certainly smaller.
He places a hand on his chest.
"Merlin."
Then he extends a hand out to his host in white.
no subject
“Merlin,” he repeats, thickly accented, but intelligible despite that.
His hand is spared the briefest glance then Sizhui politely inclines his head, straightens, copies Merlin by resting a hand over his own chest and offering his name in kind, “Sizhui.”
no subject
A quirk to his lips at how the other man says his name. Mah-lin It's better than some others that he's gotten over the years. When he introduces himself, Merlin squints his eyes, trying to recreate the words silently before trying it out.
"Soog-way?" he tries.
It doesn't sound as elegant as how his friend had introduced himself. He gives an apologetic smile as he walks over to where the food is and sits down to it, sniffing at it.
"Sizhui?" he tries again with a hopeful smile. "Did I get it right?"
no subject
Before he can shake his head in disagreement, Merlin moves toward the food and Sizhui figures it best to not make him feel self-conscious. They can work on it later after he's eaten and once he's certain Merlin's (mostly) unharmed.
Although, he's far more determined than Sizhui's given him credit and with his second attempt, he nods this time, regardless of not understanding being asked if he'd gotten it right; the way he'd spoken his name initially is enough reassurance, he hopes. Really, he ought to go talk to Hanguang-jun about a translation talisman or bother Wei-qianbei for an enchanted bauble Merlin could hold and be understood with.
But curiosity has gotten the better of him. That, and leaving Merlin alone for too long makes him nervous because who knows how much trouble he might get into for bringing a stranger in?
no subject
The food is different. The nod is a good affirmative and Merlin files it away - Sizhui. But still, they had to find a way to understand each other. This would've been far more easy if he had his book with him. But no, it was back in Camelot. Well, not that he had anticipated being transported across...space? Time? He's seen a few people from what they had called the Eastern Kingdom come to Albion and Camelot for tournaments. Once he finishes, he wipes at the back of his hand and looks at his host.
"Thank you," he says, "Sizhui."
There's got to be a way. Butterflies are always a hit, right? He brings his hands together to cup around each other and his eyes glow a golden color.
"Beflīeheþ beoht buterflége."
He opens his hands again and beautiful, golden butterflies of light appear and flutter around the room.
no subject
He nods understandingly, figuring it the best response since they can't understand one another otherwise. Seriously, at some point, he'll need to figure something out so they won't have to fumble with a language barrier.
Watching Merlin cup his hands together isn't too worrisome at first, but once his eyes start glowing, Sizhui's posture tightens, blatantly uneasy at the idea he might've put his sect (and himself) in danger. He opens his mouth, readying to start pleading for Merlin to not harm them, regardless of their not being able to understand each other.
Right before the panic really starts setting in, Merlin's hands open again and— “Oh!” he exclaims emphatically, eyes wide and mouth hanging open with astonishment as the pretty butterflies begin flittering around the room, reminiscent of Jin's golden butterflies or Wei-qianbei's talismans. “How wonderful...”
no subject
The butterflies fade and Merlin smiles at his rescuer once more, hoping his reckless display of magic wouldn’t...cause trouble.
“...I probably shouldn’t have done that,” he says quietly. But his rescuer, his benefactor, seems harmless enough. A contemplative look passes over his face as he purses his lips. Maybe...maybe he could try a spell on his own.
no subject
Sizhui's fingertips almost brush a sparkling butterfly as they start to disappear and once it fully vanishes, he withdraws, rubs the pad of his thumb over his other fingers then grins so exuberantly, it's a wonder he can contain his excitement.
From a nearby shelf, he removes a piece of red paper and folds it carefully, meticulously into a pretty haitang flower. After it's finished and set in his palm, Sizhui reaches the opposite hand to hold his first two fingers straight up, eyes shut in concentration, then they reopen as he drifts both digits over the paper. It alights with a brilliant spark, petals suddenly translucent-looking like a miniature lantern that he offers Merlin. See? Everything's fine, nothing to panic about.
no subject
His anxiety rises until Sizhui returns with a red piece of paper, carefully folding it until it becomes a flower. His eyes widen almost comically when the other uses magic to give it further form and light. He stares , open mouthed, at it, then at his benefactor before gently taking it in his hands.
“No ones ever done something like this for me before,” he breathes.
There had to be something. Some way for them to communicate. Merlin concentrates hard to try and recall anything from the grimmoire that had to do with languages. Or any of Gaius’ dusty books.
More words fall from his lips in an almost hissing language as his eyes glow golden for a moment.
“...did it work?”
If it did, then he would be able to speak the other’s language.
no subject
Disregarding the fact he still cannot understand, “I hope you like it,” Sizhui murmurs, lowering his hands afterward, thumbs rubbing across the length of his fingers. This is the first time he's used that spell and he's delighted it worked alright.
From where he's standing, it seems like something is... well, not concerning, per se, but something's definitely up? Merlin's distracted briefly, rasping a sentence Sizhui's unable to interpret, his eyes suddenly alighting gold again. He waits, patient as ever, then whenever the other male speaks and he can understand him, there's an audible awestricken gasp.
“Considering I was able to comprehend that, I'd say yes!” he chuckles, excitedly clasps both hands together and sighs, whimsical-like. “Magnificent, Merlin.”
no subject
He beams, laughing in relief that his spell works. Merlin quickly bows, at the waist, careful to hold onto the flower.
"Merlin. From Camelot. I'm manservant to Prince Arthur Pendragon. This...is this magic? Is magic..." The question hangs in his lungs, Merlin almost not wanting to ruin the moment by asking but he presses on. "Is magic...legal...here?"
no subject
“Camelot? Prince Arthur?” No, neither of those are familiar, but the mention of magic sure has his attention again, especially when Merlin asks if it's legal. He reaches up, cups a hand around his face to muffle his soft laughter then nods affirmingly. “Yes, magic is absolutely fine to use here.”
no subject
He's laughing?
"It isn't where I'm from," Merlin says quietly. "Even if you're born with magic, you're put to death." He shakes his head. No need to bore his new friend with Camelot's dark past. "I'm not...really sure how I got here, actually."
no subject
He's immediately pinching his lips together instead after realizing his outward blunder, inclining his head and chewing his cheek thoughtfully. How to fix this? “I'm sorry,” Sizhui starts, upturning his attention again, “but rest assured, you needn't worry about using your powers here.” No one will harm him either way, he'll make certain of it. “And my assumption is that something actually went wrong magic-wise.”
no subject
He breathes a sigh of relief, the tense line of his shoulders finally relaxing.
“I’m, I can’t tell if it is magic? Certainly not a spell is have cast. And, as you can tell, not that many people using magic in Camelot.”
no subject
“Something happened on our end? I couldn't tell you what at the moment, but given some time, we might figure it out.”