eight >> audio

[awaitingalbion]

[Merlin clears his throat, steading the journal in front of him.]

I would like to say that the Lady Morgana has just arrived in Luceti. [He pauses, trying to begin again with less strain within his voice.] I would hope that people could try and help her adjust to captiv--life, here.

[It is perhaps a pointless formality, but Merlin is feeling guilty about a number of things. Chiefly, how he had last seen the Uther's ward before being dragged into this world. Luckily, it looked as though Morgana was from well before that day. But he was also feeling guilty about the kind of life Morgana was now thrust into--and without Gwen, although she had been here so recently.]

Also...[now more self-conscious than strained. Also, I was wondering if anyone could provide some kind of lesson or instruction for the devices that have recently appeared in the kitchen.

[He wants to provide a proper meal for the apartment's newest resident. Something beyond the bread and cheese that has been sustaining Merlin. He hasn't yet tried to conquer the stove.]

Comments

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

I haven't introduced her to the kitchen, yet.

[foodovermystery.livejournal.com]

Mm-hm. It's much easier to learn that way.

It's just a matter of looking at the recipes. You tend to memorize them for the ones you cook more. Bread, for instance, goes at 175 - at least, the recipe I'm thinking of tonight.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

There's a pattern. It's been going on for a very long time, I think.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

As disconcerting as it is for any of us. [He sighs.] But if anyone can handle this? It's Morgana. She may live in a castle, but she can handle the hard life.

[hippocraticly.livejournal.com]

Such a gentleman.

[silviteadvocate.livejournal.com]

She said she was a Lady... is she royalty of some kind?

[ /brb hyping up manners. ]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[Recipes. Memorization. In a basic way, it was like magic. This rationalization helps Merlin and he begins to chop with gusto.]

And where can you find these recipes?

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

She would be Uther's ward. So...yes, of a kind.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

In Gwen's absence, I am the only servant from the castle that is here for Lady Morgana. Which means that I'm on kitchen duty.

[There's nothing gentlemanly about it.]

[foodovermystery.livejournal.com]

I'm sure there are cookbooks in the library. Just thumb through them and see what you like. Depending on what book you find, there might be an indicator of difficulty, too. It would be a good idea to keep that in mind.

[silviteadvocate.livejournal.com]

Ward?

[hippocraticly.livejournal.com]

Right, right... I keep forgetting about that.

[telepathicchaos.livejournal.com]

I believe it has. Someone told me that they have been here for over two years now. It doesn't bode well.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

He has looked after her since--well, since as long as she has needed it. Gwen would know more than I would. She's Morgana's handmaid.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

None of them include rats as an ingredient, right?

[It may sound like a stupid question--but it's actually horridly relevant for Merlin.]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[Merlin doesn't.]

But I'm afraid I'm much better at polishing armour than I am at preparing meals for the king's ward. [And he's not even very good at armour polishing, sans magic.]

[foodovermystery.livejournal.com]

Hm, I doubt it. I can't think of any culture that would willingly eat rats.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

But some come and go rather quickly. We can't all be doomed to staying here for years, can we?

[telepathicchaos.livejournal.com]

Yes... that is also true. I'm sure some aren't and others are, but there's also no telling which set we are in.

[logicphile.livejournal.com]

How curious, that you should appeal to the mass to assist her. But it is perhaps more harmful to mislead her, than to allow the Lady Morgana to face the bare facts.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

Desperate times can call for desperate measures.

[He smiles, slicing the knife through the apple with a clumsy kind of skill.]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

Why not? Many people here have proved to be very helpful. Isn't that one of the bare facts, as well?

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[And somewhere else in Luceti, a snarky blonde is calling shenanigans. Merlin is glad to see Minato looking well, and gives him a firm nod.]

Good. Things haven't been so calm, lately. But I'm glad that you're doing well.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

All the more reason for us to make the best of what we have, here.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you should start thinking about other needs than your own.