CLOSED ♔ it was anything but hear the voice that says that we're all basically alone

[behindcloseddoors]

♬ Imitosis- Andrew Bird

WHO || Arthur Pendragon, Wynnefalshond, Dumage Moulet, Mark Sandazhard [closed]
WHAT || ? ? ?
WHERE || A first floor hallway
WHEN || Tues, Feb 21st, evening, right before the Chicago briefing
HOW || Actionspam or prose or whatnot.

Just because Arthur almost died in training less than a week ago is hardly any reason to slack, and Fred and company don't go any lighter on him for what happened. There might be a bit of good-natured ribbing about getting nearly killed by a girl (whenever the women weren't in earshot), particularly by the elder fighters from the Shadow World who invested less awe in the Arthurian legends in the first place, but they were all too happy to spar anytime. So by the end of each training session, even a warrior in good shape would find himself winded and in need of a break. It's not quite time for evening meal yet as Arthur descends from the second floor in the direction of the squire rooms and baths.

It's unusual to find Wynn in this section of the castle, as he tends to make himself rare in the first place, barely making appearances even in the training oriented rooms of the castle. Hearing his voice, therefore, emanating from a slightly ajar door in the stretch of rooms largely reserved for squires rings as slightly unusual. He seems to be in the middle of some parting words.

"... think you might benefit from sharing a few words with him, in time. Though for the time being, I would suggest focusing on the assignment you'll be receiving today."

An answering male voice from within asks: "But if you hear from Jack, you'll--" His voice is laced with strained anxiety, and Wynn cuts him off smoothly.

"Of course." And with that, Wynn moves out into the hallway, where he sees Arthur just a couple yards away. He pauses, hand on the door handle, looking as if he was actually so preoccupied that he was surprised to see anyone there, so much as he can evince surprise at anything.

He recovers within the span of an instant, nodding to Arthur in greeting as he steps towards him, though he angles to walk past him without really seeming inclined to stop.

Comments

[nosdacaraid]

There's a soberness in Mark's expression as he takes this in, but when Arthur poses that question to him directly, his eyes slide away to the floor, as if bearing some weight too heavy to keep his gaze aloft to hold the King's. The inquiry seems to give him a great amount of pause, and it's obvious that he's struggling to respond, even if it's meant to be rhetorical. Finally, he takes a different tack entirely.

"You said your mistakes have taught you a lot. What would you consider the most important lesson?"

[king]

"To be true to myself," Arthur says immediately. It's still something he struggles with. "I'm the one who faces the consequences, therefore I must make the decision I feel is right, regardless of what anybody else says."

A pause. "That's not to say I don't listen to information and advice..." Because Christ knows listen to Merlin comes in at number two for hard-learned lessons. "But I spent a long time trying to please my father, my uncle, and their mistakes became my own."

[nosdacaraid]

Mark's eyes flick between Arthur's for a beat, before he quietly says: "... I see." And then his gaze darts to the clock on the wall, and he seems torn between relief and hesitance abruptly.

"I really don't want to cut this short - I swear - but I've got a briefing today to get to." He turns an apologetic expression to Arthur.

"But... thank you." The words seem layered with an amount of gratitude that hardly seems proportional to what Arthur offered. "Really."

[king]

Arthur stands, surprised to realize how long he's been sitting and talking. He pulls a face: "I should go wash up." But then he looks a little less disgusted, gives a nod as he turns to go, but pauses in the doorway. "You're welcome. Any time you'd like to talk..." Arthur isn't even phased by his gratitude. Obviously everybody should be seeking fantastic advice from him. "Well, you know where I live."

[nosdacaraid]

Obviously. Apparently Wynn thinks so anyways. And no one was surprised.

Mark gives a snort of laughter at that, even if he doesn't seem particularly prone to humor at the moment. But he nods.

"I'll keep it in mind. I'll ... see you around."