test drive meme | 001

[multigen]

IT'S BLOODY HOT IN HERE
(no, really. it's seriously hot.)

it's the summer holidays! a perfect time to travel, relax, spend time with loved ones and bask in the sun. the wizarding world is lively with energy at this time of year. everyone seems to want to make the most of their break before september comes around the corner and life returns to its normal, mundane pace. it has been especially exciting with the sporadic and strange appearances of old and new faces. some claim to be from a different world while others claim to be from a different time. then, there are the ones who have simply found themselves waking up to be remarkably younger or older. just remember to keep to your curfews, half-bloods and muggle-borns! those eerie disappearances are still happening in an increasingly alarming rate... MINISTRY OF MAGIC for the ones who don't have the good fortune of going on holiday, you won't have to worry about having nothing to do, especially if you're part of the ministry of magic! with all the anomalies happening, you're going to have your hands full registering, documenting, interviewing and/or helping with a multitude of busywork relating to the newcomers. or maybe your job doesn't have anything to do with that. maybe you're on the opposite end and you've been brought in. or maybe you're just a tourist and you want to see if you can catch a glimpse of the minister for magic. whatever your reason is, welcome and stay out of people's way! DIAGON ALLEY everyone loves to go shopping and what better place to do it than diagon alley? you'll find mills of people looking at all the different items on sale or on display in store windows. maybe you're here to purchase materials for the upcoming school year or you're out on a date with your significant other. or maybe you actually own or work at one of the many shops here. whatever your reason is, you better be ready for the crowd and the heat. KNOCKTURN ALLEY oh no! what are you doing here? turn back right now! knockturn alley is no place for you to be. well, at least it isn't if you aren't a dark arts practitioner or you're not part of some nefarious secret group. just turn around and go back to diagon alley. it's much nicer there, friendlier and safer. have you not heard about all the disappearances going on? you're only asking for trouble stepping into a place like this, even if it's remarkably cool here. M.I.A.V.I. not in the mood to go out? or maybe you're stuck in the waiting room at st. mungo's trying to figure out why you're suddenly 10 years older and you need a distraction. disregarding the reason, it's sure a good thing you've conveniently brought along your m.i.a.v.i. so feel free to browse the public network, create your own post, or private message someone! OTHER not interested in any of the options above? feel free to make up your own! the wizarding world is huge, so get creative with it. the setting is the summer of 1980. have fun testing out and shaping your characters, mingle with others, and start getting those crs down! FAQ | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS | NAVIGATION got questions? dropbox us!

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merlin

[kingmaking]

( diagon alley )

[ there's something just a little otherworldly about the petite, wild-looking young man currently standing outside the owl emporium. he looks a bit rustic and old-fashioned even by wizard standards, as if he might have just tumbled out of the forest a few minutes ago, and he seems uncomfortable and maybe just a little bit awed. things certainly have changed since his time, haven't they? (though at least the school's still around, so small favors, nevermind what he'd heard about slytherin.) ]

Seems unnatural, [ he says after a moment, maybe to the person nearest him, but more likely to the screech owl in the cage he's currently examining. ] Keeping them in these tiny little things. [ with that thought in mind, he simply unhooks the cage altogether, coaxing the owl out onto his hand with a gentle click of his tongue. uh, is he planning to buy it, or..? ]

( knockturn alley )

[ merlin's not entirely certain if this area's more or less comforting for its familiarity. it's not as if there's all those regulations about how and where and when to use magic in his time, after all, so half the nonsense going on in knockturn is just a fact of life where a few people with magic gather in merlin's time.

unfortunately, merlin's small size and youth, as well as his apparent inattention, make for what seems like an easy target, especially since no one has the foggiest idea who he is here. people have noticed him already, in fact, and a group of three men have been trailing him for a little while now as he wanders aimlessly.

he's examining a little cart where an old woman is selling exotic potions wares when they appear to decide to make their move. maybe-- maybe it's a good idea to warn him? or heck, if you're down knockturn alley too, maybe this'll just be good entertainment. ]

( m.i.a.v.i. | un: myrddin )

Why is everything about Arthur either poetry or romantic nonsense regarding grails?
If anyone knows of a good history, I'd like very much to read it. Visions are all well and good, but nothing quite beats sure knowledge of the future.

knockturn alley.

[fishpetals]

[ lily is buying potions ingredients when she notices it. she nods her thanks to the merchant she's bought from before tucking her purchases away, pickpocket-quick movements making sure nothing is out where someone can take it.

funnily enough, that same cart is her next stop. hopping off a curb onto the thin cobbled street, lily strides across the way and passes the men by on her way to look over the wares.

though they're moving in on this seemingly defenseless young man lily touches one man on the shoulder as she passes and the other two on the arm - ostensibly brushing by them, making her way to where she's going. but there's a crackle of magic and something strange happens.

while most wizards and witches around have to use their wands for magic, lily's is right through her fingers and it's as though all three of the men's knees go out from under them jelly-like and unstable. they're (perhaps rightly) peeved, but lily just smiles and stops at the cart. ]

That lot giving your customers trouble again, Myrna?

[ she gives the young man a nod as she says it, in greeting. ]

[kingmaking]

[ merlin clicks his tongue as he glances back to the three in question, then gives the redhead a sideways glance. ] You're kinder than I was planning on being. [ so he'd been aware of them. but of course, anyone who'd ever known merlin personally would have known that-- given his upbringing, given his work at home, well, he can't really afford to be unobservant.

still, he gives the elderly woman a quick, charming smile, then turns to fully watch the men staggering away, looking a little impressed in spite of himself. ]

Magic certainly has changed a fair bit, hasn't it? [ he's a little curious about the point of such a spell. who invented it and why? was it for this exact reason-- an embarrassing, but harmless way to stop an opponent? ]

[fishpetals]

I can't afford to be less kind, unfortunately. They'd certainly deserve it. [ what does she mean, can't afford to? how curious. still, she seems unsurprised that the wizard noticed - to be here, unless one is absolutely naive or oblivious, you notice things.

lily's purchases are always the same so there's simply a quick exchange of money and goods before she thanks myrna and turns toward the conversation at hand - lofting her eyebrows slightly. ] Are you one of those displaced from your own time, then? When was it for you?

[kingmaking]

[ he gives her another glance, then frowns faintly. ] I didn't use the Christian calendar, but as I've counted the years-- [ he hesitates, then points to the ground beneath his feet. ] --this is something like a thousand years into my future. Hogwarts was still quite new and shocking.

[ a beat, something in his expression going a little complicated, odd dark eyes shuttering. ]

.. Despite everything, I'm glad that it's still around. I think that Salazar and the others would like to know.

[fishpetals]

[ she lets out a low whistle, impressed. ] I think you're the furthest displaced I've met. Hogwarts is still... A haven.

[ it had been a haven for her, a muggleborn, keeping her from the harsh realities for just a little longer.

she's doing mental math though, because she knows from portraits he's not godric, and suddenly it all clicks into place and she sucks in a breath, coloring slightly pink. ] You're—

[ right. chill. he's still a person. don't flip out. merlin being here changes a lot, she thinks, and minister riddle would be against that. ] Sorry. Would you like to continue our conversation in private? People 'round here can be so nosy.

[kingmaking]

I was a bit suspicious of it at first, to be entirely honest. [ he glances back in the direction he knows hogwarts is in, frowning faintly, expression still complicated and a little reluctant. ] Seemed like a frankly stupid idea at the time. All that room for a handful of people? But.. looking at things now.. [ he trails off, something like pain twisting in his chest. the whole lot of them have managed to screw it up a fair bit, but it's still.. nice, a little, maybe, that they don't have to feel so alone anymore.

the startled, bitten off exclamation earns a sharp, questioning glance, but he bobs a nod shortly after. ] If you like. [ a beat, the small frown returning. ] I don't know your name.

[fishpetals]

I thought I was a freak before I met other witches and wizards. [ simply. ] Before Hogwarts I had one friend, and then I had many. I knew I wasn't something awful, then.

[ she's still flushed, feeling a little embarrassed, but nods. ] I've a shop in Diagon Alley we can speak in if that's all right. My name is Lily Evans.

[ she'll lead him toward auturgy if he's amenable - if not, they'll have to come up with something more private than the leaky cauldron or out on the street. ]

[kingmaking]

Most called me a demon, [ merlin admits after a moment, too casually for it to truly be casual. he likes to think that he's years beyond the frightened, vulnerable child he'd been, but he knows that it'll always be a part of him, no matter how deeply he buries it.

he pushes tangled dark hair behind an ear, nodding politely at the introduction and taking her cue to follow her. ] --It's a pleasure, Lily. [ a beat, then dryly: ] I suppose you've sorted out my name already. [ as.. bizarre as he finds it, his name being used as a swear.

when they reach the shop in question, he has to pause a few moments in the doorway to look around, intrigued, before glancing toward lily again with arched, questioning brows. well, tell him where you want him. ]

[fishpetals]

Some things have changed. Others haven't. [ that's all she says about it for the moment. at his response to the introduction though, she smiles and shakes her head. ] I have. It's a pleasure to meet you too, even considering the strange circumstances. I suppose there are few other options for that.

[ she does sigh a little at that, though she relaxes as soon as they enter the shop. it's small and clean and protective wards settle around them as soon as they're inside. the smell of herbs is all around and bottles both small and large are sorted neatly on unassuming shelves in front of and behind the counter. there's also what appears to be a dog bed up front, though there's no dog in it at current. she waves a hand around vaguely. ] Make yourself at home. I'm sorry for being strange out there, but things are... strained. Have you registered as being here, yet?

[ she really, really hopes not. ]

[kingmaking]

[ at the permission, he steps forward properly into the little shop, wandering toward some of the displays, brushing ink-stained fingers over them. he glances back toward her, then, frowning-- indeed, nearly scowling. ]

Certainly not. I only answer to one man, and he's-- [ he falters, something wounded passing over his features before being shuttered away. ] He's centuries dead, I suppose. [ everyone he'd known is dead, but gods, arthur. every time he thinks about him being gone from the world, he wants to scream and never stop screaming.

he takes a breath, steadying himself. ] I gave out my name, though, not.. knowing that it's well-known. [ he rubs the back of his hand tiredly over his eyes. ] .. And it is very well-known, it seems.

miavi, un: scorpius.malfoy

[engorgimpressed]

[holy shit is this..... it can't be............... the merlin???

asking for recommendations of history books?????

this is his time to shine]

Normally for histories I of course recommend Bathilda Bagshot. She's very thorough with vetting her sources and citing them, and she does have a book on the topic. It's titled Arthur and Camelot, Dispelling Myths. If you want to find anything written earlier, that would be an excellent place to start. It shouldn't be difficult to get your hands on it, either, Bagshot histories are very well-known and respected, and for good reason!

[kingmaking]

[ .. oh. this was surprisingly helpful. perhaps there's something to this silly pen thing, after all. ]

It's available in the bookstore, do you suppose?
I won't have to sacrifice a goat to afford it, will I? [ he's probably joking, but look, even with magic, books are expensive af when he's from. ]

[engorgimpressed]

Yes, there always seems to be copies of most of Bagshot's books at Flourish and Blotts!

[clearly.... because they're just so popular....... yes]

No, they're rather affordable! [not that he's the best judge of what "affordable" is but..... yeah, they're normal modern book price] I would lend you my personal copy but I've sort of been displaced in time and it's roughly 40 years in the future from here. :(

[kingmaking]

[ """"popular"""", but hey, merlin isn't complaining. he happens to like history. ]

Have things changed much in those forty years?

[engorgimpressed]

[some may consider scorpius malfoy to be.... a little bit......... of a history nerd. just a little.]

Don't things always change?

[It's a good non-answer. He probably shouldn't say over this network thing that this isn't really what 1980 is supposed to be like.]

I know forty years isn't much in the grand scheme of things but much happened in that time, and much changed because of it.

[kingmaking]

[ just a teensy bit. ]

Depends on your perspective. Things changed very little for centuries in parts of the world.

Mysterious. Perhaps this is a conversation best had in person?

[engorgimpressed]

Precisely why it's a difficult question to answer! From my perspective, the changes are significant, but for someone else, it might not be very different at all!

I wouldn't say no to that!

[He's trying so hard to be cautious and not say anything damning on this thing]

[kingmaking]

Good. Tell me where you'd like to meet and I'll sort out how to get there.

[ u will learn that merlin is Very Decisive about things, no waffling here. ]

[engorgimpressed]

I'll meet you at Flourish and Blotts! It's a bookstore on Diagon Alley, so I can show you where to find that history, too! :)

I'll be the blond in the Historicals section!

[Sure enough, it doesn't take him long to get there. He knows where he's going, after all. He'll page through something recent, that he's read in his own time, to see the changes.]

diagon alley

[inclusiveness]

[ Helga is thrilled to see a magical community so lush and thriving, with commerce and trade and a government all their own. She's milling about the bustling street, pleased as punch but a little distracted, when she spies a familiar face: one of Salazar's best students! It's only after she recognizes him and begins to head over that she notices what it is he's doing. ]

Now, now, Merlin dear. Those owls are obviously domesticated and trained. You can't go setting them free!

[kingmaking]

[ he might be a little older than he was the last time she saw him, but he's certainly no less of a suspicious little stray cat, and the look he gives her when he glances up is a complicated mix of relief and dread.

helga hufflepuff is the last person that needs to be trapped in a future like this. ]

Helga, [ he greets quietly, brushing a knuckle absently over the feathers on the owl's breast. ] I wasn't freeing them. I'm thinking of making their cages larger, though. [ he hates seeing winged creatures in such tiny spaces. considering he's named for a bird, though, and considering his personality, well.. that's no surprise.

he gestures her closer, allowing them to speak more quietly. ] --Did you just arrive?

[inclusiveness]

Oh, now that's a lovely idea. Give them a bit more room.

[ It's true that the Merlin she remembers is younger than the young man she sees before her. But he was a bright boy, and it seems he has become a bright young man as well.

She closes the distance between them happily, smiling softly. ]

I've been in this time for a day or so, now. Isn't it marvelous? Look what we've become!

[ It's clear from her answer that the finer details of the current social climate have yet to reach her ears. ]

[kingmaking]

[ he hefts the owl to his shoulder, and the bird settles there in apparent contentment, puffing itself up and closing its eyes. merlin himself turns more fully to her, frowning a little and trying to decide how he should address this. it's.. clear that she hasn't yet taken note of just how bad things are here yet.

is that really shocking, though? she's always seen the good when no one else can. ]

There are things about this place that are impressive, yes, [ he says slowly, and flicks a careless hand to ward the space around them from eavesdroppers. ] There are major problems, though, which have stemmed in part from that blood nonsense that Salazar is so frustrating about. [ a beat, then his frown deepens, faintly annoyed. ] .. Also, we're all rather well-known, I think, and I can't go anywhere without hearing my name used as a swear. [ which is.. not that important in the long run, but it is bizarre. ]

[inclusiveness]

[ She knows from the slowness of his speech that there's a "but" coming, and so when he casts a charm to ward of casual listeners-in, Helga's face turns solemn and thoughtful.

Yes. Blood purity. She's heard Salazar's-- well, calling them "rants" wouldn't be very polite... but it wouldn't be inaccurate, either. Luckily, he's been content to keep muggleborn students out of his house and allow the other three to take them on instead. Rowena and Godric at least agree with her that the circumstances of one's birth have no impact on one's ability to learn magic.

But if Salazar's selective sentiment has trickled down even through all these years... to what end, Helga wonders?

Merlin's next point does lighten the mood somewhat, and she spares him a sympathetic smile. She doesn't imagine hearing strangers use one's own name as an expletive is very amusing. At least, not after the first few times. ]

There's not much we can do to become any less well-known. [ She's proud that the work they started has continued on so long, and that future generations have appreciated Merlin for the bright wizard he is, but it does make living one's life rather inconvenient. ] We shall simply have to decide how we handle notoriety.

[ And then, more solemnly, ] We shall have to decide how we handle the rest, as well.