The Royal Kennels - Camelot, Sunday Morning

[bigdamndestiny]

With Francine and Katchoo visiting, that meant that... showing Francine puppies. Because they were the girliest girls to ever girl when allowed to hang out.

"Arthur claims Brynn's no good at hunting, so he's using her to breed larger hounds," Merlin informed her sagely. While holding a wriggling puppy in his arms.

Big, badass wizard. Oh yeah. Live in fear.

[[For the one with him and anyone who might want to facepalm]]

Comments

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Hey, he was under the assumption Fandom was the norm, okay?

"Not even at the stables?"

[thatsamilkshake]

"There aren't any stables," she explained. "Just a parking garage, and that's no place for a puppy, trust me."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"And they do get awfully large," he admitted with a sigh. "After you're done with school maybe?"

[thatsamilkshake]

"Oh, I'd love that!" Francine gave in and just sat cross-legged on the straw. which yes, instantly got her puppy-swarmed. "Of course by that time it might be Brynne's grandchildren..."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"But they'll still be available," he added quickly, totally speaking for Arthur.

[thatsamilkshake]

"And even more adorable," Francine decided, tickling the nearest one on the tummy. "Obviously." Because please, like Brynne's kids wouldn't get just as spoiled rotten. It's a lost cause, Arthur.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

He got Owain for all that, after all.

Merlin just chuckled and knelt down to set his puppy back on the ground. "How is school then?"

[thatsamilkshake]

"I don't think I'll flunk? Probably?" She could sound less confident if she tried really really hard. Maybe. "It's harder than Fandom classes."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Is it that bad?" It was good he lived in a time where schooling wasn't expected, damn it.

[thatsamilkshake]

"No." Francine shook her head. "I mean, I like most of it? And next semester I'll get to do more of the stuff with teaching kids, and less of the boring stuff."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You'll be good at that," Merlin added quickly. "Kids like you."

[thatsamilkshake]

"I don't know if that'll help me teach them how to read and tie their shoes," Francine replied with a laugh. "Ooh! Maybe if I ever actually get a job like that after college we could have a class puppy!" Which would totally help them learn to read and tie their shoes.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Um, duh. Puppies helped kids learn. It was statistically proven. 60% of Camelot knew that.

"At least it's not Latin."

[thatsamilkshake]

"I don't think anybody teaches kids that age Latin," Francine answered. "Well... maybe in ancient Rome..."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Arthur probably started about then," Merlin replied, pushing at a puppy's paw only for it to gnaw on his finger.

[thatsamilkshake]

"I don't think anybody sane teaches kids that age Latin," Francine amended, wiping puppy drool off her nose.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"..fair enough."

Look, he was in no way going to claim Uther was all there.

[thatsamilkshake]

"I we taught them Old English, do you think some of the kids would start doing magic?" she didn't really believe that, but the idea amused her.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I think you need to have a talent for it." This wasn't Whedonverse, after all. Merlin wasn't going to need rehab or anything.

[thatsamilkshake]

"I know. It would be funny, though." Francine glanced over her shoulder in the vague direction of the palace proper. "There. Not here."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"As long as no one starts a fire." A beat. "Or knocks down a tree."

Way to speak from experience, Merlin.

[thatsamilkshake]

Francine pushed a puppy away from her face only to have it instantly replaced by another, which made asking, "Did you do that when you were little?" difficult, but she managed it eventually.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Maybe just once." Or five times. But who was counting?

[thatsamilkshake]

"How young were you when that started?"

It was...possible... she might be doing research about small people who did not yet exist... Or just that she was interested. Or both.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin opened his mouth for a moment before closing it again to think it over. "My mum said I was floating things over to myself when I was still in the cradle."