private psl

[foundfate]

["I want to be free of the ghosts to see. That is my wish: to not be burdened by them anymore."

"Unfortunately, I cannot grant that wish. But I can send you to someone who can grant it."

That answer gave Watanuki jack-all to go off of, though, and he was left standing in a field of pink flowers looking absolutely befuddled. How had he gotten there? Where was he in the first place? The flowers seemed to go on forever, and all that was around besides them was a floating tower in the sky.

Well, that seemed like Watanuki's best chance at getting an answer, so he tried to step in that direction, but found that his legs were tangled up in the flowers. He fount this out by tripping, somehow, and ending up face-first in the flowers with a yelp.]

What- why are they-

[Oh, to be tangled up in the Garden of Avalon. His sins weighed him down, and he didn't even know it.]

Comments

[myrdd]

Looking forward to it!

[srsly though Watanuki how much do you want this to escalate

Unfortunately, the thought that the confetti was rude doesn't even cross Merlin's mind.

Anyway! He'll follow soon enough - the Bounded Field is staying as is in the courtyard. Merlin hasn't tasted eel at all. Jellied eels only became a thing in England in the 18th century. In his time, mutton and pork were more common - one had to travel to the coast for seafood, and while fish did reach Camelot on occasion, the royal treasury wasn't in the habit of overspending on food imports to the castle since addressing the famine plaguing the countryside was a bigger priority.

Has most of the salt been dumped on the dish? Or will it get saltier once Merlin decides to pay a visit and check what's cooking? Not to worry - he'll do the polite thing and knock on the door.]

[foundfate]

[Most of the salt was added during cooking, Watanuki is not a fan of salting after the fact. It's better to cook the salt in, it makes it feel like more of a complete dish.

Interestingly, his irritation has died down slightly while cooking. But when he opens that door and sees Merlin there, the irritation is back. Just not as strong.]

Ah. Here for lunch?

[It's a little flat, but not completely rude. He's more irritated with himself that he thought a knock could have been anyone else.

Also he is wearing a pink apron over his outfit.]

[myrdd]

I am indeed. The smell's too good to resist!

[He didn't actually smell anything behind the door. Now he does as he wanders over, clasping his chin as he peers over Watanuki's shoulder.]

What's this?

[Also Merlin's not going to tease about the apron - has Watanuki seen how many pink flowers Merlin surrounds himself with? Not to mention the pink and pastel accents on his clothes and staff.]

[foundfate]

Of course the smell is too good to resist, it's MY cooking.

[Watanuki is only so ego-inflated over his cooking because it's Merlin. If it wasn't someone who already irritates him, he would have more humility.]

It's unadon. Don't mess with anything, it's not done yet.

[Notably, he isn't kicking Merlin out. Just warning him not to mess with the food.]

[myrdd]

[He doesn't quite laugh, but the line of his mouth is rather wobbly. The thing is that, had he not tasted Watanuki's cooking the night before, he would've taken out the metaphorical needle and be a little mean.]

Of course, apprentice mine. I bet if you put your heart to it, you could woo even a goddess.

What's unadon?

[foundfate]

It looks like we're short on goddesses here.

[One half-incubus will have to do.]

It's grilled eel covered in unagi sauce and placed over hot rice.

[myrdd]

Oho. [Look who's brimming with sparkling curiosity!] I can't even imagine what unagi sauce tastes like, and neither have I tasted eel.

Then, as what is becoming the usual, me and my tongue will be in your care, Watanuki.

[foundfate]

Don't say it like that.

[He had been about ready to say something about how today is a day for trying new things, but not after that tongue comment. Watanuki is a teenager and his mind is as dirty as any teenager's mind.]

[myrdd]

Like what?

[It's an innocent comment! Honest!

(While he doesn't have any designs on Watanuki's virtue, Merlin can't help the occasional innuendo. Alas, if his student's reacting to like this, he'll be tempted to sprinkle more into their future conversations just for entertainment.)]

[foundfate]

You know what I mean!

[He sees that smile! But he's also busy scooping rice into bowls and getting the eel on top of the rice, so. No time to shake his fist at Merlin or anything.

He is absolutely making it obvious how to best tease him, though. That is one of Watanuki's weaknesses: easy 2 bulli.]

in which the teacher ends up being similar to his student /stares at Arturia

[myrdd]

Do I, really, when all I've done is to express my faith in your cooking?

[It might even be a conceptual weakness!

Merlin heads over to the dining area and sits down, clasping his hands on his lap with an easy smile. Time to behave! Maybe.]

Now: come and bestow upon me your blessings, o lord of the dining realm.

She rubbed off on him more than he realizes

[foundfate]

Flattery will get you nothing special.

[It's true: he would cook for Merlin regardless.

But soon there are two bowls of unadon, one in front of Merlin and one at Watanuki's seat. He starts eating right away- all that exercise earlier has made him hungry- but he is definitely watching carefully to catch Merlin's expression as he eats the food. Watanuki knows his cooking is good, but seeing someone else genuinely appreciate it is something else entirely. Especially if that 'someone else' is a trickster like Merlin.]

y e p

[myrdd]

That remains to be seen!

[Look, his old job is consists of giving advice, BS, and schemes. Flattery is always on the table.

This new dish is certainly new - and he hasn't had rice before, too! Merlin breathes in deeply, trying to pick out the nuances of dish through smell, and it's very apparent that the ingredients and the cooking style aren't ones he's familiar with.

Picking up his spoon - Watanuki eats a bit of the eel with the sauce-covered rice, does he? - Merlin copies the portioning when he scoops up a mouthful and puts it into his mouth.

The way his eyebrows lift speaks for his surprise.]

Oh.

[You bet he can taste the salt - the frustration's hard to miss. But so, too, can he pick up everything else in this dish. It's a slightly different kind of warmth he felt from dinner, and he sucks the corner of his mouth, trying to pick something out.]

You're quite the earnest worker, aren't you?

[...there's something about that warmth he can't put a finger on. That said, it doesn't stop him from eating with obvious enjoyment, humming as he takes the time to imprint this savory flavor and new texture into his memory.]

[foundfate]

[He tries not to show it- he doesn't want Merlin to think his praise actually works, after all- but seeing Merlin's reaction there fills Watanuki's chest with warmth and pride. The way the wordy mage suddenly has trouble finding words is a real treat to see.

The praise is nice too, Watanuki won't deny that. But it's that first bit of a visual reaction that leaves Watanuki smiling, just a little bit. He doesn't ever say it out loud, but he does like it when people enjoy his cooking.]

It's worth doing right, isn't it? Good food is one of the few things that anyone can indulge in, regardless of who they are.

[myrdd]

I'll say that's far more useful and universal than magic.

[He says it so casually, but Watanuki's words bring to mind all sorts of things, such as the earnest wish of a King who wanted to bring her people happiness without partaking in it.]

I think Arturia would've liked meeting you - and not just because of her appetite.

[foundfate]

Yeah? Are we alike?

[Watanuki doesn't know much of the legends, and even if he did it wouldn't compare to what Merlin knows. So Merlin can explain that, and he will listen.]

[myrdd]

Not quite.

[He chews on another mouthful as he figures out the best way to word this.]

To her, being King meant helping the people find their happiness. [This is the difference that, long ago, he'd have preferred being aware of sooner.] That even such a simple thing can help bring that about is something she might've found value in learning of.

[In other words: the happiness of the people shouldn't be her sole responsibility, for its unique personal expression is the purview of the individual. Having an orderly and prosperous kingdom, while immensely helpful, is only but a step towards that.]

[foundfate]

[Having an orderly and prosperous kingdom is also what led to Arturia's downfall. What she thought as 'order' and 'prosperity' was not a universally held belief. Seeing different points of view is critical, and maybe meeting people like Watanuki would have helped.

Watanuki, for his part, just hums thoughtfully. So that's the kind of person she is, huh? Interesting.]

Didn't she have the whole Round Table to help her? Everyone must have had different beliefs, right?

[myrdd]

[Indeed. And while she herself couldn't afford to be less than perfect, knowing that side of human nature better might've helped her understand the trouble brewing in her own court.]

She did, but it's... well.

[From the way Merlin's looking into his own bowl, you'd think the rice grains were the stars in the sky that one might absently gaze in.]

Arturia was raised to be the perfect king. [By his and Uther's design.] Her countenance and her actions were unquestionable for her logic was sound. She was fair, to the point that it made people uncomfortable. Everyone could see that all her efforts were devoted to the kingdom's prosperity, and she didn't spare a thought for herself. She knew the end of her reign for I showed it to her... and she asked me to make her forget it. This is the conviction of Arturia who drew the sword from the stone: if it will bring the people happiness, then her sacrifices will have been worth it. It's that same will that served to strengthen her throughout her rule.

I was there to advise her, of course. Sir Kay, having grown up as her older brother, didn't hold her up on a pedestal and was also rather frank in speaking his mind - we often debated certain actions because of it. The rest, however, could only bring themselves to openly question matters up to a certain point because of their own code of loyalty and other factors. Treason's a serious matter, you see. Moreover, doubting or openly challenging the King in specific ways will lead to such accusations. There are some who even wondered at their own doubt, for Arturia herself hasn't done anything tyrannical or even morally dubious.

I'm sure Sir Lancelot, who hails from a different country, might've had similar questions as you do. Although I'm no longer able to ask him about it, nor do I think he'd have spared me the time.

[foundfate]

[It's a heavy talk, but Watanuki can at least understand what Merlin is getting at. To some extent. He has no experience with loyalty and treason accusations like that, but following the rules and orders set out by those in charge is a pretty key part of life in Japan. Much like Watanuki wouldn't think to question a teacher, he could see why someone wouldn't question a king.

He hums thoughtfully, chewing on his own bite. He really doesn't have room to criticize the Round Table when he himself would have trouble speaking out.]

Is that the lesson that the stories of King Arthur are meant to teach? That intentions may be good, but you still need to have some control over your own life and not rely on a king for everything?

[myrdd]

[The question isn't one he expects, and he grins. Ah, of course - historical examples are used like that in the modern day, no?]

If that's what you get from it, I'm satisfied. No god or king holds sway over mortal lives these days to the same extent as before, so it's only fitting.

[foundfate]

That change must have happened for a reason. Sort of like how as a child grows they rely less on their parents, or something.

[The relationship between 'subjects' and 'ruler' isn't quite the same, but that's how Watanuki is imagining it. Nevermind that his memories of his own parents are fuzzy and difficult to recall. Most people rely on their parents until they are teenagers.]

[myrdd]

[That's a keen observation. Merlin's smile turns a touch secretive as he piles up more unagi and rice on his spoon.]

Or something, indeed. [it's complicated.] The fading of the Age of the Gods is reflected in mankind's history. Similar to, as you say, a child growing up.

[foundfate]

It must have changed a lot, from then to now. What was it like?

[Since Merlin is talking like he lived it.]

[myrdd]

It wouldn't be out of the norm for humans to encounter dragons and the fae. [And Arturia took one out. The dragon that Vortigern turned into. That's important. Not that he'll leave a hint yet.] And actual gods could walk the earth. One might, incidentally, dig a hole so deep they can reach the Underworld.

So yes - plenty of things have changed from then to now.