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[youjustgot]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, MERLIN. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 135.18.129.14 *** Merlin has joined 135.18.129.14 <merlinofcourse> ⌁˚⊹ You have reached Prince Merlin ⊹˚⌁ <merlinofcourse> I know how to use computers now~

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[missleadingquestions]

[For once, Maya doesn't make a playful chide for his attitude or cover her tracks.]

Oh— I'm sorry. Yeah, that makes sense.

[Of course he would be trying to sleep,what was she thinking? But she has him here now. And there are pressing matters.]

I just— needed to know how long it's been since the last time you ate.

[youjustgot]

Uhhhhhh, I don't know? Since we had dinner?

[Why would she wake him up for THAT? ...More importantly, why hasn't she made fun of him yet? She's chided him for less.]

[missleadingquestions]

No.

[She urges.]

Since you ate a person.

[youjustgot]

[Oh. Ew. Do they really have to talk about this right now? What a wonderful thing he gets to think about right before bed.]

Again, I don't know? When was the last time you gave me...something to eat? It's still the beginning of the month anyway, I can worry about that later.

[missleadingquestions]

[Maya's shoulders fall, but it is as if in relief.]

That's good. There's time, then...

[But she doesn't stop to explain. Instead, she barrels on to her next point.]

Hey, did you know there's a spa juat for monsters in the city?

[youjustgot]

[Merlin's eyes dart back and forth until he's finally squinting at Maya in disbelief. It's like he somehow MISSED a whole chunk of the conversation they're having.]

W- What?!

[MAKE SENSE!!]

[missleadingquestions]

I think you should go there,

[She looks him straight in the eyes.]

On the eighth. Specifically.

[youjustgot]

...Are they having a sale or something?

[He's gotta say, this is by far the weirdest word-of-mouth he's ever experienced.]

[missleadingquestions]

I'm paying. It's my treat.

[She says it so quick, it's like she's already had this planned.]

[youjustgot]

[???????????????????????????????????????????????????????]

Thank...you...?

[Is...is this for his birthday or something? Is the sale for this day and this day alone?? Why couldn't this have waited until the morning?!]

I'll...clear my schedule...then....

[missleadingquestions]

[Again, she sighs as if with relief.]

I'm sorry. I know this is really sudden.

Something— happened. I just... want you to miss it.

[youjustgot]

Something happened and you want me to miss it? So it hasn't happened yet?

[Merlin might be half awake, but that doesn't mean he's completely stupid.]

Maya, what in the world is going on? Quit being vague already.

[missleadingquestions]

But— it's just—

[There's a strange look on her face; the way her brows knit together, the way her dark-yet-glowing eyes stare up at him almost imploringly.

She so desperately doesn't want him to hate her.]

There... are humans, who attacked one of the fishing boats. The other day, we had some girls not come back.

And— they found the boat. The one that attacked ours.

[She breathes in, breathes out.]

Those men are going to die on the eighth. And I'm going to use them to feed the other monsters that need it.

[youjustgot]

[While Maya breathes in and out, Merlin can feel himself hold his own. He can't deny the fishing situation here has always been very...tense. It's not something he enjoys thinking about, which is rather sad considering he LIVES here, but he always thought if he'd just ignore it...he wouldn't have to deal with it.

Oh what a fool he was.

Can't say he saw "capturing them as prisoners and feeding them to monsters" was how it'd explode in his face, and certainly not coming from his precious friend. Maya Fey, just what are you becoming...?]

So...



...the spa sounds really good.

[missleadingquestions]

[Maya nods slowly, then a little faster.]

Yeah. It'll be great! You can take some of your other friends.

A-and when you get back—

[She takes a breath, not looking at him, as if she's reassuring herself more than she's reassuring Merlin.]

Everything will be okay again. I promise.