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March 1, 2000
Amber Trump Deck Logs RL Pictures Main Trump call with Merlin...
The image of Merlin is clad in a long purple robe, with a turban on his head. Wind kicks up sand clouds, sweeping them across the view. He's clearly in the desert. "Yo," he says, in greeting.
Yosannah regards him coolly, "I have to say, Corey, I'm surprised I got though."
Merlin admits, "I didn't know who was calling."
Yosannah says "Didn't know? And you answered anyway. Getting careless in your old age." She studies his image, "What's with the turban?"
Merlin says "Necessity more than anything else, really." He adjusts his turban slightly. "When in Rome..."
Yosannah nods. After a moment, "I'd like to chat with you. Is it safe to pull me through?"
Merlin looks thoughtful, scratching at his beard. "No," he says, "I'm afraid it's not. But I can talk for a little while, if you want."
To the image of Merlin, Yosannah bites habitually at her lower lip. "Yeah. I suppose stating the obvious is a good way to start. I'm rather disappointed in you"
Merlin looks at Yosannah's image, but doesn't say anything. He waits for her to expound.
Yosannah shakes her head, "I'm not even going to pretend I know what happened to you. I trusted you and..." She sighs, "And the next thing I know you show up at my friend's birthday party claiming the throne of Chaos or some such nonsense."
Merlin says, in reply, "I hear you're getting married."
Yosannah blinks, "You heard?"
Merlin says "Your fiancee's father is probably my best friend."
Yosannah nods, "I knew that..." Her voice trails off.
Merlin shrugs faintly. "I suppose congratulations are in order."
Yosannah shakes her head, "Probably not. I told your bestest buddy that having friends like you and Dalt spoke little of his character," She smirks, "He was none too happy. So, I don't deserve your congratulations."
The image of Merlin says "Well, thanks."
Yosannah considers, "I guess I'm looking for an explanation not to be disappointed in you. And but for the fact that your name has come up in conversation several time in the last couple weeks, I probably wouldn't care." She shrugs, "I don't know."
Merlin gives a small shrug, hands turning palm up. "Look, Yosannah, sometimes these things just don't work out..."
"Bullshit, Corey, what happened to you?"
Merlin glances away from Yosannah's gaze, toward the ground. He bites his lip for a moment, before looking back. "I... I got scared, alright?"
Yosannah shakes her head, "Scared of what? Of Dalt? Of the horsemen? Since when are you ..."
"No. None of those things."
Yosannah says "Then what the..." She raises her hand to her forehead and smooths back her hair, "I don't get you."
Merlin says "I don't either, half the time."
Yosannah says "Getting a semi-intelligent response out of you is like.. like.." She throws her hands up in the air in frustration, "Christ!"
The image of Merlin says "What happened, happened, Yo. I can do a hell of a lot of things, but I can't turn back time. You're getting married, for Christ's sake."
Yosannah holds up a hand, "Wait a second. Wait." A sort of realization falls upon her face, "Do you think I'm asking you ... Cause that's not..." She regards him questioningly.
"No. What I'm trying to say is that what is, is. We had good times. I've been thinking about them lately." He shakes his head, shrugging to himself. Focus. "You're getting married, and I'm an asshole. Let's leave it at that."
"Lately?" She actually seems concerned.
"This throne succession has just got me reeling, is all."
Yosannah seems doubtful but nods just the same, "You used to tell me you weren't interested in such things. Why the change of heart?"
"Honestly?"
Yosannah nods matter of factly, "That's why I'm asking."
"Guilt, I think."
"What?!"
"You heard me."
"Guilt over what?"
The image of Merlin says "A lot of things, I guess. Edwin, Ghost, the Throne. You."
Yo laughs at this at first. It slowly fades into seriousness. "That's not fair. Now you are being an asshole."
"Don't get me wrong. It was just the capper of a long series of... bad choices, I guess would be the best way to say it."
"And you think getting yourself involved with Chaos again would be a good choice?"
"I decided to cut to the heart of matters."
"Yeah, well. I don't agree with what you're doing, but I don't suppose it's any of my business."
"Why not?"
Yosannah says "I just remember the stories you used to tell me about how miserable it was the last time you were serving on the Chaosian throne. Compared to the stories of your life now... or the life I knew you to be a part of."
She shrugs, "I wouldn't think you'd want to give that up to deal with Chaos insanity."
Merlin says "I wasn't really even King, back then, Yo. I mean, I was, but I wasn't really in charge. I was practically a puppet. I won't be, this time. I can do this. I know I can."
To the image of Merlin, Yosannah says "You're really insistent on this." She shakes her head, "What about all the things you'll be leaving behind in California?"
"I'll go back, someday, Yo."
Yosannah runs her hand through her hair and nods. She doesn't say anything to this. "I gotta run, Yo."
"Certainly."
"Congratulations. Really."
Yosannah smiles, "Thank you."
"Be seeing you."
Yosannah says "You should be so lucky.."
