The Enrollment Office

[Merlin Emrys]

Merlin listened quietly as the girl spoke. When she removed her hood, her pale hair and skin almost seemed to glow, but her appearance did not unnerve him. He found her oddly calming.

"Selphia." he began, " This Guild is for magical people, and you show all of the classic signs of Psychic magic. Moving things with your mind is known as telekinesis and up until now has only been activated when you are under extreme pressure. Hearing people's thoughts is common too. I hope that it brings you comfort to know you are not abnormal, I have seen magic like this before and I look forward to seeing yours grow here with us at the Guild. The elders are always excited to hear a psychic magician has joined us. The headaches are often an unwanted side effect, caused by the constant need to block out other's thoughts. You'll find that they should ease up as you undertake your training with us here in the Guild..." he paused to note down a few of Selphia's details, then looked up at her with a smile.

"I won't ask for a demonstration, your explanation is enough, and I wouldn't want to put you under pressure to force your magic. But I'll keep a close eye on your training." Rather than speaking his next words, Merlin projected them loudly and clearly with his thoughts, hoping they would reach Selphia's mind.

Welcome to the Guild

[Lilith Blackmore]

Lilith entered the room quietly, a little nervous. She had recently learned that she had magic, though had delayed her trip here wondering if they would accept her or whether it was too insignificant. Since the incident with the boys, she had learned a small spell or two, but nothing noteworthy. Still, after Gaius' insisting and her knowing that Merlin would be here, Lilith went.

She wore her simple green work gown with the royal crest over her heart. Her dark hair was braided back, exposing her long, slender neck. Her hand went up to her throat instinctively to touch the small medallion that had belonged to her mother. The little round object gave her comfort and eased her nerves.

"Hello?" Lilith said, her voice quivering a little as she spoke. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach fluttering violently. Deep breaths, she thought. This would not be as bad as the final test Gaius would give her before she would be considered a full fledged court physician.

[Merlin Emrys]

Merlin looked up at the sound of a voice to see Lilith, his friend and fellow assistant to Gaius, entering the room.

"Lilith!" he exclaimed loudly, surprised to see her here, but glad she was. If she didn't look so worried, Merlin would have assumed Gaius had sent her to tell him off for something he had forgotten to do that morning. But her wavering voice suggested otherwise; she was probably uncertain about what enrolling into the Guild entailed. He was glad that he was the one on enrollment duty today, rather than one of the sour-faced council elders, they could be a little bit intimidating to applying novices.

"You're here to join the Guild?" he asked with a smile and remembering his manners at the last minute, quickly stood up, indicating the spare chair infront of the desk for Lilith to sit down in.

[Lilith Blackmore]

Lilith’s worried expression softened when she saw Merlin. His presence was always welcomed, though now there was a small blush in her pale cheeks. "Yes, I suppose I am,” Lilith responded quietly, still looking around a bit. If only her mother was still alive to tell her what was happening. Lilith knew that Merlin could use magic as well as others, yet a family member would have been better.

"Thank you,” Lilith said as she sat down. Her hand went from her pendant to her lap where she clasped her hands tightly. "Gaius told me I should come here and I have been putting it off for quite some time,” Lilith said guiltily. "I admit I am a little scared.” She sat straight in her chair, a small smile on her lips, though her eyes still looked frightened.

[Merlin Emrys]

Merlin sat as Lilith did. She had relaxed a little when she had seen him, but only a little. He smiled when she explained it was Gaius who had put her up to coming.
"Well we both know how persuasive Gaius can be!" he replied, writing Lilith's name down on the official papers that he had to fill out for each novice. "...and I don't like to admit it, but he's usually right."

Merlin looked up from his writing, attempting to give Lilith a reassuring smile and scratched his ear with the quill. He had known Lilith for some time now, yet he got oddly tongue-tied around her.

"Um, so I assume you wish to train in white magic?"

Merlin had heard Lilith mention her gift, but had never actually seen it in practise and he was always excited to watch other people use magic, especially people whom he was already acquainted with. Their gifts manifested themselves in such a wide and exciting variety of ways. He leant forward across the desk.

"Would you be able to give me a demonstration here...?"

[Lilith Blackmore]

"Gaius could probably persuade an ass to move a cart up a steep hill,” Lilith replied with a smile. The two of them talking about Gaius relaxed her even more. It felt like a normal day in Gaius’s room working on some tonic or other. Then Merlin had to mention magic and the reason she was here again. This time Lilith stared into his blue eyes, the same blue eyes she enjoyed looking at occasionally while working next to him. Perhaps she liked his company too much, though with Arthur next to him, she did not know which eyes she preferred. Generally Lilith liked to avoid those situations.

"Yes, particularly healing,” Lilith responded. She did not know what else she could be capable of, but she knew healing was the most practical.

Lilith nodded and pulled out a small dagger. She held out her pale hand and pricked a finger. The pain was brief, but she winced a little. Lilith was not fond of pain. She then placed the dagger back and put her other hand on top of her finger. "Iatros,” she whispered and the wound slowly closed up. Her eyelids drooped a little and her upright posture slumped for a brief second before she came completely back to her senses. She held out her once wounded hand to show Merlin.

"It’s not much,” she said, her finger only showing the beads of blood that had escaped before she had healed herself.

[Merlin Emrys]

Merlin had to look away from Lilith as she gazed into his eyes, he could feel his face turning red, and so looked down at the parchment infront of him instead. When he looked up she was holding a dagger and about to prick her outstretched finger. Merlin's hand lurched forward automatically, but it was too late and Lilith was already wincing. He would much rather have been the one to cut himself than she, but he kept his protective instincts quiet and watched the demonstration in silence.

He took her hand when she held it out, wishing his own hands were warmer, and wiped away the two drops of blood to reveal Lilith's unblemished finger.

"It's not supposed to be much when you start," he replied, "Just promise me you won't try healing anything much bigger or more complicated than this until you've done some training, because it'll take its toll on your body..." he realised he was still holding her hand, and quickly dropped it, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"If you're half as good a mage as you are apothecary you won't have any trouble!" he added.

[Lilith Blackmore]

Lilith noticed Merlin’s hand reach out to stop her, though she had already pricked her finger. She could not have injured Merlin in anyway. As Merlin took her hand, she looked down at her wrist, unable to look at him again. She was not used to being touched, apart from her father or a random pat on the back from Gaius. His hands were not warm, but they were neither cold. Her hands though were ice cold and she felt embarrassed by it.

When Merlin released her hand, she slowly brought it back to her other hand on her lap. "I promise,” Lilith replied. She did not suspect that she would be as good as Merlin said, though she was hoping to learn a little more and at least find a way to use magic without hurting herself.

"Thank you Merlin,” Lilith replied with a big smile. "Shall I go now?” She asked. "And should I tell Gaius whether or not we should expect you for dinner?” She was going to add “on time,” but decided not to. They both had a problem of being in the right place on time when it came to Gaius.

[Selena Fireheart]

Memories of her father poured threw her mind like a river. He was a man who used his magic to help others in need, but cruel circumstances saw him slaughtered by the holy knights of Camelot. Soon the memories slowly disappeared. Selena gently opened her eyes and found she was daydreaming. Shaking her head she sighed and went back to her work, a few minutes later the young teen was once again in deep thought as she carried out some more washing to do. Remembering the teachings from the druids Selena decided that now was the time to become someone just like her father. But to do that she needed to grow in strength and skill in the art of magic. After placing the washing down Selena quickly grabbed her long heavy hooded cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders as she left the servants quarters.

The length of her long hooded cloak enclosed her body completly. and dragged across the ground slightly, Selena followed her heart and soon she stopped before the door that led towards the magicians guild. Once again her fathers heart warming words flowed into her mind" Do not fear the power within you. It will guide your heart forwards". Selena placed her hand on her heart while it was covered by her really long cloak, with a sigh she knocked three times and slowly opened the door.

Her heart was beating like a sword hitting a shield. But she did enherit her fathers courage and opened the door seeing a man sitting in front of a small desk, closing the door behind her Selena grasped her long cloak tightly and walked over towards him. With a sigh she said to him" Excuse me I would like to enroll here". The man just grunted and pointed towards another door. Selena sighed and slowly headed towards the second door in front of her.

Pulling her left hand out from the depths of her long cloak Selena knocked again three times. She opened the door slowly and saw a rather large office filled with many books and scrolls, with a look of amazement she too entered the main office and saw in utter amazement Merlin standing before another young lady. Selena was in complete shock, Merlin the very polite young man that helped her a short while ago was there in front of her.

Was it because that he too was there to enroll. Or was Merlin the person that she needed to see? eithery way it gave her a huge surprise. Her new friend Merlin was just like her, a person who could use magic, with a smile of amazement she said" Merlin!? is that really you? Um". She soon forgot her manners and bowed politely in front of Lilith.

"I am so sorry for disturbing you". She said calmy but her voice filled with nervousness. But Selena said the words towards Lilith and Merlin as polite as she could.

[Merlin Emrys]

"Yeah, that's everything!" Merlin replied, glad that Lilith was smiling now. "Dinner would be great, but I need to deliver Arthur his first, so I might be a little..." he didn't even need to finish the sentence, from the look on Lilith's face it was as if she already expected him to be late.
At this point, the door opened once more and a cloaked girl stepped into the room.

"Merlin!? is that really you?" The light voice that spoke was familiar, and on closer inspection Merlin recognised the girl as Selena, a new maid at the castle that he had shown around on her first day.
"I am so sorry for disturbing you." she continued.
"You're not disturbing at all Selena" Merlin replied encouragingly, nodding to Lilith to show that she could leave, "I'll see you tonight?" he asked, a little too eagerly.

Once Lilith had taken her leave, Merlin indicated for Selena to take her place in the seat infront of him.
"I should explain, I work at the Guild as well as for Arthur..." he said quickly, before getting down to business, "So, you are here to enroll in the Guild? What band of magic do you want to train in?"
He pulled a fresh piece of parchment towards him, today had been a busy day!

[Lilith Blackmore]

"Alright, I'll tell Gaius," Lilith said with a smile. All embarrassment and nerves had left her now and she felt light on her feet. The smile could not be wiped off her face as she walked out the door and headed toward her chambers.

[Selena Fireheart]

Sliding her long hooded cloak off her shoulders Selena just smiled. She was in total shock at not only was Merlin working for a Magicians guild but her secret at being able to use magic had been revealed to Merlin himself, slowly she headed towards the seat before Merlin and quietly sat down. Feeling abit nervous Selena gently replied" Yes if I may please Merlin. I would love to enroll into the guild". But her eyes sank deeper into a sea of sadness.

She figured that Merlin needed to know the truth. With a sigh she spoke honestly from her good heart and once again faced the horror of her past, Selena said" I am so sorry I didn't tell you Merlin. I was going to but perhaps now I should tell you everything". Lowering her head in sadness she recalled what she learned upon returning to Camelot after being away for many years.

Looking back up towards Merlin she said" My mother took me away from Camelot after my father was killed by the knights". She said, then with one last sigh Selena said" But after my mother died I was taken into a Druid camp and was raised by them. I didn't know what kind of magic my father once used. But I discovered that I was able to use one of the few elements". She said in total honesty.

[Merlin Emrys]

Merlin waved goodbye to Lilith, then turned to Selena, listening to her story quietly- he was sad to hear that her father had been killed.

"I discovered that I was able to use one of the few elements." she finished, and Merlin raised an eyebrow. It had been a while since an elementalist had enrolled at the Guild.

"I'm glad you've come here Selena." he began, "So you're an elemental magician, which element can you manipulate? And would you be able to give a small demonstration for me here, now?" he pulled an application form toward him, writing Selena's details down and waiting for her to reply.

[Selena Fireheart]

OOC: Sorry for the late reply Merlin Welcome back just one question though. Selena is a Elementalist magic user, can she use just one element? or can she learn more when she trains??


IC: Selena could feel an entire river of nervousness hitting her confidence like a sword hitting a shield. It was something that had father had wanted as well as her mother, but the saddest of all things that had happened in her life. Was the fact that she never once knew her father or mother, all she ever knew was that they truly loved her with all their hearts. And so in memory of her father she silently vowed to be someone just like him, pure hearted, polite and strong in the arts of magic. And to use her magic for the light of good. And the Magicians Guild was going to be her starting point and with Merlin's help and others like him and Selena her training would help her realise that dream.

And to honour her mother Selena was going to live her life to the fullest. To also grow up to be a strong woman and face all obstacles that stood or confronted her path to a peaceful future for the life she had choosen, looking down at her hands she said" I was raised by the druids after my mother died. When I was old enough they helped me to control my elemental magics". She said with a sigh but with a tiny smile. Perhaps the time had come to reveal her own magics to Merlin thanks to the training given to her by the druids.

As Merlin asked about the element she could control Selena nodded and said" The druids and myself found I was able to control the power of Thunder". She said but something was bothering her deep within her heart and soul. Looking back towards her friend Merlin Selena looked sad and spoke from her very heart" I am so sorry for keeping this from you Merlin". Selena felt guilty that she hadn't told Merlin about her being able to use magic.

With a sigh of nervousness she quickly took off her hooded cloak and stepped away from Merlin's table. Taking a gentle sigh Selena slowly began to relax her muscles, and little by little she closed her eyes and began to focus. Inside her very body her blood began to glow as the magic deep within her began to awaken, but Selena wasn't not only conjuring it from her body but looked deep with what she thought was the true source of magic....the heart.

Soon she looked upwards and focused on the elemental force of Thunder. Her magics soon regonised what she was doing and began to form a picture of a storm cloud, when her magics stood ready for her to use Selena held out her left hand and opened it. Then she quickly opened her eyes and looked down at her hand. A few seconds later a ball of pure thunder element formed in her hand. She focused on it more and made it so that not a single spark flew out of the ball of thunder, Selena looked confident but showed signs that more training was needed as she struggled slightly to keep the ball from shooting out any sparks.

But thanks to the wise words of the druids Selena finally stopped struggling and looked towards Merlin. With a sigh she nodded showing it was her sample of her own magics and the teaching of the druids, Selena held the ball of thunder as long as she could for Merlin to see it.

[Merlin Emrys]

"I am so sorry for keeping this from you Merlin."

Selena sounded incredibly guilty as she spoke those words, and Merlin gave her a quick smile of reassurance. "It's fine, it really is Selena. You don't need to tell everyone you meet about your magic, and when I met you I met you as a servant. How were you to know that I also worked at the Guild? I'm just glad that you're here now, it's the best place to learn and advance in magic."

He watched as she stepped away from the table and with great concentration created a ball of pure thunder in her outstretched palm. Merlin observed for a few seconds, then said "Thank you." He didn't want her to use her magic for too long, as he knew that for beginners it took a lot of energy. "You are accepted in the Guild Selena and I look forward to seeing how you get on in training!" He handed her the recruit papers which held the crest of the Guild then stood, indicating that she could leave.

"I hope to see you around the Guild, or the servant's quarters soon." he added before she left.