tucky | ♻ 018 | text/video

[filtered to Dillon, Iris, Mason, and Simon]

[Everyone on this filter gets the same message, sent separately.]

Can you come see me? I need to talk to you.

[Then, after a moment, an addition.]

Don't worry its nothing bad.

[video]

[Later, after finishing visiting with and giving her news to the above people, Tiffany sets herself up to make a public announcement. She sits cross-legged on her bed, turns on the recorder... and suddenly realizes that she has no idea how she wants to say this.]

I...

... There's a Bible verse that I like. It goes like this: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

[She isn't reading it off of anything; she's memorized it. Considering the last verse she took the time to memorize was about smiting God's enemies for Him, this is an improvement.]

If you know me much at all you probably know I'm a big believer in God. And when I first learned about Him, it was the best deal I ever heard of. I'd never been a part of anything before; never been in anybody's fold. But here I was, learning about somebody who'd love me, and give me a reason to be - I wanted that, you know? Who wouldn't? Feeling like you're loved is the nicest thing.

But then I came here, and I learned that being loved is only part of what's important. You gotta love back, honestly and truly. And I do. I have met the most amazing people and made the most amazing friends, and I wouldn't trade any of you for anything. I told Dr. Cambridge a while ago that I got a lot of hate in my heart sometimes, and that's true. I used to like showing it around a lot. But on the Barge I learned that I got a lot of love in my heart too, and I like showing that around even more.

So what I really meant to say is that I graduated, and it's 'cause of y'all, and I love you very much. Even the people I don't like I kind of love a little bit right now.

[She almost adds Except Arthas here, but bites her tongue.]

But especially the people I like; the people who have helped me. And some of you feel the same way and some of you don't, and that's okay, because love is not self-seeking and me feeling it is enough.

[Pause.]

I'm gonna stay. I'm gonna be a warden. It's kinda scary to me, but I'm doing it. I don't always like how it is on the Barge and last month I was thinking maybe I'd leave, but... I can't do that. It's like my home, now.

That's all.

[And she ends the feed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

This week, I think. I...

[He sighs softly.]

I was running away, when I came here. I don't want to keep doing that any longer.

[This week. She sags against his side a little more.]

You ever gonna come back? Or is it, like, a permanent thing?

I don't know. It depends on what happens at home. If I ever need another deal with the Admiral, I'll return, but...but I hope it never comes to that.

What if I need you?

Then you just remember that I never punished you. I never told you what to do, I never told you that you were wrong. You had help, I know, but at the end of the day you did all this yourself. And you'll keep doing it.

[She reaches up and wipes at her eyes.]

I know. I know I will. But that ain't the same as not needing you.

[Merlin bites his lip. He's a little choked himself, and he hates to see her cry.]

....I know. And you must know I can't really answer you. I'm sorry.

You don't have to be sorry. And I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told Simon - if you have to go, I'm not gonna be mad or try to stop you.

...thank you.

[He kisses her temple, gently.]

I'll miss you, Tiffany. And I will always, always remember you.

Me, too. I wanna give you something to remember me by, but I don't know what.

You've got time to think about it. [He glances at her camera.] Is there any way we could take a picture together and put it on paper? I'd like that.

You mean print it? I don't know. You can do it at home, but on the Barge...

... I could wish for it to happen. I still got those powers. I'd do it.

[He considers that. Using the Admiral's power for that sort of thing, he hadn't considered, but - it could work, couldn't it?

With one small adjustment:] I have them too. Let me.

Okay. But-- wait. Something else, too.

[On impulse, she reaches up and unclasps the cross necklace that she’s always wearing.]

I know you ain’t a Christian, and I know guys don’t wear stuff like this. But it’s one of the most important things I ever owned, and my lawyer gave it to me. He was kinda like my warden before you were.

I wanna give it to you, okay?

[He looks surprised for a moment, then deeply touched. He smiles.]

...I'm honoured, Tiffany. I will take very, very good care of it.

[Relieved that he's accepting the gift, she gently places it on his knee.]

Good. It'll make me happy, knowing you have it.

[Merlin goes a little further than that, picking up the chain and carefully clasping it around his neck, though his hands linger at his nape.]

...is this alright?

[He isn't of her faith, after all. He doesn't want to cause offence by wearing the symbol of a religion he doesn't observe.]

Of course it's all right. I gave it to you. It's, like... it's an honor for you to wear it.

[To make her point further, she slides around behind him and does the clasp up herself, making sure not to catch his hair in it. Her faith isn't his, and she knows that - she also knows he's not going to be converting anytime soon. But that's okay. Christianity, she's learned, is about being kind to other people. It isn't about excluding those who don't share her faith. Merlin isn't a Christian, but he is her friend, and that's infinitely more important.]

[He bows his head to let her finish the work, as sincere and measured a gesture as if he was being knighted.]

Thank you, Tiffany. I'll always keep it close.

Am I ever gonna see you again?

...I don't know.

[He doesn't look happy about that, either, though he knows it's inevitable. Fate.]

I know Iris is very powerful. She might be able to take you to Camelot, to visit me, before you return home.

Only then? I don't even know when that's gonna be.

[Merlin shakes his head.]

Earlier, then. Whenever you come, I'd be happy to have you as my guest.

Then I will. I'll visit. More than once, maybe.

And I'll keep being good, and you can be proud of me.

♻ 018 | text/video

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