awaitingalbion | eight >> audio

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Help is always appreciated.

Okay, awesome. I can come over now, if you like. Where are you?

Oh, my name's Yako, Yako Katsuragi. You are...?

Merlin. Just Merlin.

[He pauses.] Building six...I hope that's not too far?

No, not at all. Just give me about ten minutes.

I'll be waiting by the entrance.

[And he is, looking rather anxious. He doesn't even know who he's waiting to meet, really. Not much beyond a name and a square of visual.]

Hey! Merlin, right?

Right. [He nods his confirmation, smiling.] I'm glad you made it with no problems.

Well, it was just from building five.

So, shall we get started? How much time do you have?

Until she gets hungry, I suspect. [Which...may be soon, or may not be. He's not sure.] I'm not exactly familiar with preparing food.

She? A friend of yours?

At all? Well, that's all right. I can teach you some things as we go.

She's...from the same kingdom. [He plays that rather vaguely.] Or--err--world.

[Merlin holds the door open for Yako. Luckily, his apartment is on the first floor so they won't have far to go for the kitchen he shares with the rest of the floor.] I'm afraid I have more experience serving it than preparing it.

Oh, I see.

Do you have any idea what she likes? What kind of food do you have?

I have..a lot of fruit. And some bread, and--err--eggs. A lot of general necessities that Gwen picked up when she was here.

[He's not very helpful, sorry.]

And she's used to eating quite well. After all, she's the king's ward.

Well... I'm sure we can do something. It won't be anything really that fancy, since you don't have much, but we'll try.

Would she mind eating breakfast for dinner? That would probably be easiest, in terms of maximizing simplicity and quality. Most people don't, but there are some that do.

I don't believe she'd mind, no. [He watches Yako with interest.] Breakfast foods are often similar to feast foods, anyway. Bread and cheese, sometimes an apple.

All right, then. We can do a fruit salad, I think you have what we need to make banana bread from scratch, if there's time, do... something with the eggs - we could just scramble them or make an omelet, but neither are very complicated, and... hm. Plain cheese might be best. A little goes a long way sometimes, especially if that's what she's used to eating.

What do you think?

That sounds great. Fit for a Lady.

[Uncomfortable with idleness in front of someone who is, essentially, a guest:] Which parts can I get started on?

Well... hm. The point of me being here is to show you how all this stuff works, right? It's really not hard at all - just turn the dials to get your temperature, and you're good to go. The trick is knowing at what temperature, and how long to let something cook for.

For now, though, you can help me slice up the fruit.

It's good to start off small, right?

[Merlin is quick to act, grabbing an apple and a knife. These are things he has some rudimentary skill with.] How is it that you know the right temperatures from the wrong ones?

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.

[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?

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.