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..don't know. I've never asked? And I've never worked in the kitchens--[Merlin frowns at the journal.] Fruit is always appreciated at the head table. Can you make a meal with fruit?

[emp3thy]

Okay.

[and he starts trying to plot out a medieval menu. As much as he'd like to show Merlin more Japanese recipes, it'd likely be easier to teach him things he's more familiar with.]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[Y-you're so good to him, Minato.]

Would the shops have mulled wine, you think?

[emp3thy]

[anything for social links.]

Maybe the bar.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

I'll pick some up, then. She would probably like some with her meal.

[are you using him for social links? sob]

[emp3thy]

Then I'll get the rest.

["using" is such a strong word.]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

Meet in the village square?

[He offers, lapsing into a familiar casual tone.]

[emp3thy]

[thumbs-up.]

See you soon.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[Later--but not too much later--Merlin is standing just outside the village tavern with a hefty bottle held in two hands. The glass is dark, but it isn't hard to tell that the liquid inside is dark, as well.]

[emp3thy]

[Minato's a bit later than Merlin, as he had to find a cookbook and decide on a recipe. When he approaches he has a bag over one arm and two books under the other, one of them being his journal.]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[Minato gets to be on the receiving end of a smile and a wave.] It looks as though you mean business. How are you, Minato?

[emp3thy]

[He can't wave, so have a sort of smile instead. This is his version of being eager.] I do. And I'm fine.

[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.

[emp3thy]

[Not everyone needs to put on a huge show to be happy, Buffy]

You found the wine?

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[Happiness is hard to come by in Sunnydale. You gotta flaunt it when you got it.]

I think so. I had a taste and it seems close enough to what they'd serve at the castle. [Which means he may have just picked up the foulest, dreariest wine in Luceti.]

[emp3thy]

That's fortunate. [As Minato doesn't know that.]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

And--[Merlin shifts the bottle so that it's cradled in one arm, and he roots around in his satchel before pulling out a pair of thin silver goblets, held together by their stems]--see these? I found them earlier today.

[emp3thy]

[that's rather impressive, actually -] Very nice.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

I thought something familiar would be nice. Especially with all of the new additions to the apartment.

[emp3thy]

Probably. [...] Will you be able to keep using them?

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[Merlin began to walk back to the apartment.]

Do you mean the appliances?

[emp3thy]

[he nods.] They must look 'magical.'

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

I haven't really talked to her about them, yet.

[emp3thy]

I found a book on electricity. Fina-san's been reading it.

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[He smiles as they walk.]

Right. I saw her outside the house, reading that.