the betrayal/redemption meme

[earthking]

BETRAYAL MEME

You have done something unspeakable to the people closest to you. How did this come to be, and how will you make amends?


Instructions

Post with your character with their name, series, and whether you're the betrayer, the betrayed, or simply leave it blank! Then, either make up your own scenario to your liking, or use our prompts (RNG totally optional) and go wild!

(Example: for organization's sake, denote b3+2 where you killed someone and are trying to hide it or r5+3 for a situation where you side-hopped and now want nothing more than to make things right, so that people know at a glance whether you're betraying or being redeemed and what you did.)

betrayal; you've turned your back on everything you once stood for

1) you're innocent. it's not your fault, but they can never know. maybe you're protecting someone. maybe you're being blackmailed. whatever the case, it's your dark secret.
2) you're hiding. you've done something terrible, but no one knows it yet. how far will you go to bury what you've done for good?
3) you're uncertain. everything is in place now, but nothing's been set into motion yet. maybe it's not too late to turn back. or is it?
4) you're slipping. you thought you could change. maybe for a while you even managed to. but now you find yourself falling back to your old ways, and everyone around you is at risk.
5) you're reacting. they betrayed you first. you're not in the wrong. they deserve this. they brought this upon themselves. you're not really betraying anyone if they pushed first.

redemption; you've done something that can never be forgiven

1) you're trapped. they caught you red-handed, or maybe you turned yourself in. now those you betrayed are free to face you one by one and have their revenge.
2) you're false. this whole betrayal thing isn't working out quite the way you'd hoped. maybe if you play your cards just right, you'll be able to get your old life back.
3) you're selfless. whatever forced your hand to begin with doesn't matter anymore. you'll destroy yourself and play the role of a villain to the very end if that is what it takes to make things right.
4) you're lost. what you did was wrong, and you know that now. you can never be sorry enough, and you've lost your way. all you want to do is find home. won't anyone out there show you the way?
5) you're tortured. you have to make amends for what you've done. you have to. the thought consumes you, possesses you. you have to find them, help them. but after what you've done, will they even want to see you again?

what you've done;

1) you sold them out
2) you killed
3) you joined the other side
4) you stole
5) you lied
6) you simply are. you were never 'good' to begin with.

Comments

[destinedtobeunpopular]

I do.

[Now shut up and get to that training or stop complaining or... something.]

[pratful]

[ a moment of silence

and then a sigh ]

Fine. What is it that you want? An extra advance on your salary? More chores?

What?

[destinedtobeunpopular]

I want you to tell me what's wrong. How many times have I told you that you can talk to me?

[You're not fooling him, alright.]

[pratful]

[ he shifts, looking a the ceiling, then the window, then that little speck of dirt on Merlin's cheek... ]

Do I have to? It's really not that important.

[destinedtobeunpopular]

If it's bothering you, it is important.

[pratful]

[ twitch ] Well, it's... not really anything. Just... [ yep, back to not looking at you ] Well, it's just that breakfast tasted a little off. You should have a word with the cook and let her know to pay more attention to the sausage next time.

[ sorry cook mistress! It was delicious. Really. ]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

...

[Usually he's the one who gets the crap first when he food is bad, though. And that not looking at him thing...]

Have you always been a lousy liar?

[pratful]

[ immediate affront! ]

No.

I'm a perfectly good liar. [ well, when it matters. Certainly much better then Merlin. ]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

Really? It's not showing right now.

[Spit it out, Arthur.]

[pratful]

[ defeated, let this never be spoken of again. ]

Oh... fine. [ marching right past Merlin to... stand by the bed. He's not pacing! ] I can see you won't rest in peace until you know the whole of it.

[ how can he say this... ] I may have told some of the other knights your interest in women's clothing. No harm's been done by it! But if they make any comments...

[destinedtobeunpopular]

...

[Just. Staring.]




What?

[pratful]

[ he fidgets underneath that stare, eventually sticking his hands under his armpits to stop ]

Well, you know. Guinevere told me.

[destinedtobeunpopular]

Guinevere--

When?

[pratful]

Oh, you know. After she caught you trying on those dresses of Morgana's. I have to say, I don't think red's your color.

[destinedtobeunpopular]

I wear red all the time.

[pratful]

I know, and it's not your color.

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[He still has his doubts about this really being it, but. There's still time!]

There's nothing wrong with red on me.

[pratful]

[ he purses his lips and then shakes his head ] Do what you want, but I still say stay away from the red. At least in dresses.

[destinedtobeunpopular]

I don't wear dresses.

[Being Merlin is suffering.]

[pratful]

[ as if there's any other kind ]

... Right. Of course you don't. [ he stretches ] Man. I feel better already. [ he walks over and claps a hand on Merlin's shoulder ] You were right, Merlin. Talking is so much better.

Now where's that bath?

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[Nope, this isn't over yet.]

Why did you even bother keeping that from me? I'd expect you to jump at that chance to tease me.

[pratful]

[ drats ]

Well, it's...

[ he's stumped ] It doesn't matter. Just go about your business. Unless you'd like to muck out the stables again?

[ he doesn't exactly want to bring up the fact he finds it passing strange Merlin never made a mood on Guinevere. Just look at her! Who wouldn't be enamored? ]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[Arthur's not the only one who's stumped. As much as Merlin doesn't want to give up when he knows there's something, he just makes a sharp but tired motion with his arms and rolls his eyes.]

Fine. Fine. I'll get you the bath and take the day off, fine. Maybe you'll actually be normal once I come back!

[GEEZ.

Stupid, irritating, confusing prat.]

[pratful]

[ at least Arthur still has his charm ]

Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. I'm already feeling much better as it is. I'd just out of the local taverns if I were you.

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[HAH what charm?]

Whatever.

[He'll just shuffle about and prepare the bath without another word.]