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[servant]

[Merlin's face hasn't appeared on the network for awhile. It looks a little older now than it did before.]

I'm missing one horse. He stayed in the gardens, where i know there's been some talk of eviction lately. If anyone removed him, I'd like to know. He's-

[Merlin pauses, swallowing hard before he continues.]

He belonged to King Arthur of Camelot, who some of you might remember as Prince Arthur while he was here. He disappeared a few days ago - the horse, not Arthur. At first I thought he'd just wandered off because I overslept, but I've searched all over.

His name is Llamrei and he's almost as much of a prat as his rider, but I've always suspected that he saves the worst of that for me.

[Another thing that horse and rider had in common.]

I have nothing of value to offer as a reward - unless you want me to wash your socks and fetch your breakfast until the next jump. [He shakes his head a little, a thin smile on his lips.] But you'd probably be better off just accepting my thanks.

Comments

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[coffeeking]

...Now you're never getting him back.

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[servant]

What makes you say that?

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[sweetbreads]

Horses are creatures of habit, and deeply loyal. They have places they care to sleep, favorite places to roll, grazing spots that vary only by the time of day, depending on the sweetness of the grass.

Perhaps you might describe his routine?

video because medieval boys and text no good

[servant]

He waits for me near a certain tree every morning, nips at me while I brush him. Then I take him for a short ride where he always breaks into a gallop. He grazes some more while I clean up his area. Then I bring him back, give him apples or carrots or whatever I can find from the kitchens, throw a blanket over him and start all over again the next day.

Does that help?

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[oikodomae]

[ annabeth frowns a little, though merlin can't see it. she thinks about sending a video but if she heads off to the gardens now maybe she could catch him...? ]

i'm sorry to hear about llamrei
i can help you look for him if you want?

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[servant]

I'd appreciate the help. I know some people would say that it's just a horse, but he's special to me.

[He's the only thing of Arthur that Merlin has left.]

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[bribed]

Someone probably ate it.

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[thoughts]

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[servant]

[Merlin looks briefly horrified; and this is from someone who's eaten rat.]

I really don't think we're that desperate, are we?

[culver]

You are missing a horse?

[servant]

Yeah...yeah, but don't worry, I'm sure he'll be found soon.

[He's not sure at all, especially now that things like ransom and dinner have been mentioned. But he's not going to share those horrors.]

no you're not: the sequel.

[ex_question191]

You're seriously trying to pass your horse off as King Arthur's horse now.

[servant]

[This bitch.]

First, it's not my horse. And second, I'm not trying to pass it off as anything but what it is.

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[uncurse]

Horse. There are horses on a spaceship?

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[servant]

A few. Along with chickens and cats and dogs, and a dragon-like thing or two called dinosaurs.

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[doggedly]

Hang on-- he's just missing now? He didn't go at the jump or anything, did he?

[And-- look, he will never, ever get over the idea of Merlin doing menial tasks. Merlin offering to do menial tasks in exchange for a sodding horse isn't much better. In fact, maybe it's worse. If anyone does force Merlin to do menial tasks for them, Sirius will just assume those duties himself, because there are some things Merlin just shouldn't do

Not that... he's going to say any of this. And it doesn't matter anyways because if Merlin is missing a horse Sirius is gonna find that horse.]

Forget everyone else on this stupid ship, I'll find the horse for you.

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[servant]

I've seen him several times since then, he should definitely be on the shop.

[Sirius, you always make him smile regardless of the circumstances. When they find that horse they should get on it and ride off into the sunset together.]

You know I'm grateful for the help, just promise that you won't go looking in the dangerous parts of the ship.

[northerner]

If you can't find him on your own, I could ask Grey Wind to seek him out. I'd hold off though. I don't think he ever become accustomed enough to direwolves for it not to panic him.

[servant]

Thank you. I've received some good advice and more than a couple of volunteers. If nothing comes of that...well, a startled horse is better than a lost horse.

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[makalaure]

[ The mention of a horse piques this elf's interest, as long ago he used to live on broad plains and raise horses and lead a cavalry, among other things. He misses it at times, and the thought of encountering a horse on board this metal box sounds quite nice. ]

Llamrei... that is a lovely name for a horse. Have you found him yet or are you still searching?

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[servant]

Still looking, unfortunately. The ship's huge, if he got out of the gardens...

[Merlin shakes his head. He doesn't really want to think about that right now.]

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[chambermaid]

Llamrei is missing?

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[servant]

Don't worry, Gwen. I promise I'll find him.

[If he can be found.]

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[emerges]

What if it just got sent back?

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[servant]

It's possible. But I want to be sure, specially before the next jump.

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[arrowheads]

Maybe he's just giving you a hard time.

[ which is, more or less, an attempt at a joke to make light of the situation if the way the edges of her lips twitch is any indication. it's not a particularly good joke, but hey, she tried. ]

If you still need an extra set of hands, I can try to track him.

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[servant]

He's listened to his master giving me a hard time for years, it wouldn't surprise me.

[He sighs, but there's a hint of a smile afterwards. You should hear some of his jokes. Her offer though, like many of the others, is surprising.]

You could do that?

/scorches into here

[coy]

[ caroline loves horses, bro.]

There are horses here?

SCREAM YES

[servant]

A few. Do you ride?

voice; and collecting your people like pokemon

[handelaar]

[wow seriously how has no one here been helpful. next department meeting, really going to put someone on network duty because what is a pr and can he sell it.]

Haven't talked to Jaye about it, then. [Sigh.] Noticed that one was missing, didn't - no one's said anything.

voice; yes, catch 'em all

[servant]

It's my fault. I was late tending to him that morning.

I was sure I would find him.

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[reaction]

Ooh. You can wash socks and fetch breakfast? Well, I'll get right on that horse searching business. [ Except he'll just continue to flip through the book he's re-reading (Jack London's 'The Call of the Wild'), clearly not planning on going anywhere fast.

Because horses, man and their mothers arriving, and what is that about a house? People getting pieces of meat and whatever in their lockers? This whole ship? He's done enough eye rolling this week that he's given himself a slight migraine. ]

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[servant]

[That sarcasm, the reluctance to do anything. Merlin wonders if he should've offered to polish his crown, because surely he must be royalty.]

I have other talents, I'm just less public with them.

Fortunately enough people have volunteered out of the goodness of their hearts.

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[agenda]

[ a sympathetic smile. ] I'll look as well, Merlin.

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[servant]

Thank you, my lady.

[There's a smile in return, sheepish and grateful.]

So many offers to help is a bit unexpected.

[voice]

[yardbird]

[King Arthur of Camelot, he says. Because sure, why not. Why is anybody even surprised here anymore?

[Murphy just pinches the brim of his nose.] Well, if nobody's found him yet then I'll keep my eyes peeled...

[He actually works in the Oxygen Gardens after all, and how hard can finding one stray horse be?]

[voice]

[servant]

Thank you. And just let me know if you see him. He's not dangerous but he's sure to be a little unpleasant by now.