two >> audio/action

[awaitingalbion]

[The sound of a throat-clearing cough.]

Can anyone tell me about a blue-haired girl who calls herself a soldier?

[But earlier this day--before he makes the voice post--Merlin is out picking up fresh ingredients for Arthur's evening meal. He is in the shop, picking through some vegetables. He looks...confused.]

Comments

[emp3thy]

You didn't. [slipping back into lineface, but... reassuringly so?] There aren't many servants here, though.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a lot of people do things for themselves, here. That can't be such a bad thing, I suppose.

[emp3thy]

It's not bad to need help. ...But I think it's better on equal ground.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

Equal ground. [He repeats, quietly. It's a rather foreign concept.] It sounds like a good idea.

[emp3thy]

And it's harder to make work than it sounds. [...] But it still can.

[whoops, looks like the food is almost ready...]

sorry about the delay, total influx of responsibilities kept me away.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

You think? [Merlin stands back--shirking duty as ever.] I can't imagine it working.

no worries <3

[emp3thy]

[That's okay, he'll put the different ingredients together himself.]

Well, it works here.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

Are there really no kings, or knights, or royal lords to step up and rule? Or do these Malnosso guys have the throne?

[emp3thy]

It'd be hard to get one accepted. Not everyone comes from countries with kings.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

That's right--[he misunderstands, as usual]--one bloke said he was an emperor.

[emp3thy]

True. [oh Merlin.] But I meant democracies.

=/ well that was failtastic

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

Democracies?

[emp3thy]

Government run by the people.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

By the people? How do the people manage that?

[emp3thy]

Elections.

[taking the food off the stove now.] You vote for a representative. Representatives vote on laws.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

Voting? [He looks...amused. Impressed and amused. By both the concepy and the stove. He had been wondering where the roasting pit was.]

And that's how it works in your world?

[emp3thy]

In my country. [he sets it aside and retrieves some bowls] The Emperor's power is ceremonial.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a fantastic place. I mean, not that Camelot's bad. Sure, King Uther can be a very strict leader but quite a lot of the subjects are happy and looked after.

[emp3thy]

That's good.

[here, Merlin, have a bowl of okayu.]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[He accepts it with a smile, wrapping his fingers around the bowl. It looks good.

His free hand reaches out for...a spoon? He recognizes this implement, at least.]

[emp3thy]

[A spoon, yes. Minato won't force him to try using chopsticks.

He waits for Merlin's verdict.]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[He scoops up a spoonful and shoves it (inelegantly) into his mouth.

A pause for judgment. Hmm. Different, but not bad.]

Hey--[he begins, swallowing the first mouthful]--not bad!

[emp3thy]

Thanks.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[A few more shoved mouthfuls.]

So much better than Arthur's left-overs. [Which isn't all he eats. Just...what supplements his otherwise less impressive meals at Gaius'. And by leftovers it's more like what he steals from Arthur's plate even before he brings it to him.]

[emp3thy]

[...poor Merlin.] That's pretty simple. I can teach you other things.