Castle of Loch Ness

Knights of No Table indeed. "Ha!" she had a moment. If nothing else, Arthur was definitely good for a laugh or two. Though the table itself did seem to be missing a piece, there was a legend about that... but what was it exactly? Guinevere couldn't recall from the top of her head, so it must have been one of the ones that couldn't be proven. Whatever the case, there was a reply in order. "I suppose the table thing is pretty important. Actually it is right in the name, it might be the most important thing~" Guinevere stated with a simple nod. After putting the whole thing together Arthur seemed content enough to move it. Watching him do so for a few seconds, Guinevere was reminded of the statements of Merlyn about the stability of chivalry in the world even under the face of this new king. She began to wonder if it was rude to offer assistance? Maybe... but perhaps, instead of that, a little prank would be in order? A grin came to her face as she walked along side the man she reached out her fingers grazing the face of the table as he rolled it along. A gentle whisper of a single word would follow, "Shvibzik," just a mention of a skill, which created minor impossibilities in singular moments. One which by its nature wasn't remotely destructive but could, make strange things happen around Guinevere if she wished them to, even if they shouldn't have been possible. In this case, she rather casually lightened the table for a few moments only gradually, would Arthur gain a bit of ease in moving the large thing. Perhaps he had some strange intention in moving it without help, but going at such things completely alone was arduous at best. "Well, standing for something... stand behind something or someone. In this world, such things are almost equivalent~" she mused softly. Even those unknown supporters could do a bit of good every now and again.

While Cador and Emilia busied themselves with the people of Loch Ness, Merlyn's presence was noted, first by Sir Hector who seemed to consider her threat level before abandoning his grip on his weapon and Sir Dagonet, who seemed to be a bit slower on the uptake and worse for wear by way of fright. A chuckle escaped the lips of the still cloaked sorceress as she was greeted with a bow and all the formality she never thought she'd hear from anyone straight from the lips of Sir Hector. "I've been calling myself a lady all day, I didn't expect anyone else to, Sir Hector~" she mused as if it was a pleasantry most unexpected. As for her presence here, it wasn't simply to keep watch, though she was glad to know from this man's perspective that the hamlet that Arthur had inherited came with relative safety. Even so, the words of Sir Dagonet, about his reaction to this days 'exploration' were worthy of answer as well. "Hahaha~ My sincerest apologies, Sir Dagonet. I didn't realize the jump scares would do you in. Eventually, you'll be able to tell where I am relative to your person with a bit more accuracy~" she stated a bemused smile coming to her face. Ah, but flirting wasn't the actual reason she'd come here. No, there was much more to do, and she had just the right men for the task. "And I am not here to keep watch, I can trust your work and if I wanted to, I could have done that from where I was~" she said to Hector only to get to her point with relative ease. "There are quite a few villagers of this hamlet left, they'll need feeding and apparently the King will be notoriously picky about how you all eat, so I thought to skip the middle man in this particular endeavor. What do the pair of you say, to taking down dinner? As this place was the last which was inhabited... and I have it on good authority that a flying bison will be waking in a cave to the east..." she mentioned, this was the plan. Still she couldn't simply order them about, but she'd rather skip any of the 'boring' parts and there was none better suited to killing such a creature than Sir Hector. And truth be told, Sir Dagonet would be much more useful in the castle after the townsfolk were properly healed.

The importance of the Round Table notwithstanding, getting it to its desired location was going to be quite the hassle. Luckily for Arthur, there was aide coming his way without his notice. Had Guinevere said something else? It certainly sounded like she did. "Gesundheit," he said, assuming it was a sneeze or something. Meanwhile, his every heave was becoming easier and easier. A few huffs here and there, and he was able to offer words which didn't reek of tiresome activity. "I was going to say this table is an annoying thing to move, but I think I've got the hang of it," was his assertion. With that said, he offered a response to Guinevere's own clause. "I'm starting to understand that. I'm not one for standing behind people, but I'd gladly stand beside all of you. I guess I should start looking at this whole thing as more of a job than some glorified roleplay. Though, I think I do like some of the roleplay aspects and potentials. . ."

Merlyn had been calling herself a lady all day, had she? Hector hadn't noticed a thing. "You deserve nothing less, Merlyn. I wouldn't disrespect you by failing to acknowledge your place among us," the knight explained. Meanwhile, Dagonet seemed curious. What could the sorceress have meant with her words to him? Would he develop some sort of ability to sense others such as Merlyn? Or, perhaps, did it have to do with whatever fact of Merlyn's existence freed him of Kolin's spell some weeks ago? He would find out eventually, and perhaps sooner than later, considering Hector's decision upon hearing about a flying bison. "A flying bison? My my, I haven't seen one since Cornwall. I could easily take care of something like that; any size would be more than enough to feed the people we've gathered thus far. Might I request two favors, though? I'll need something with a blade, and there is still a quarter of the village left to explore. Would you mind taking my post while I travel east?" he requested, much to Dagonet's satisfaction. The red-haired jester had been through enough scares this day; he would be remiss to encounter a massive beast to bring matters to a close. "Yes, yes! Sir Hector is more~ than enough for any beast of burden! My humble self would only hold such a great knight back~!"

Apparently Arthur thought Guinevere had sneezed or something similar at the utterance of her ability. A chuckle escaped the young woman in the moment as she simply nodded the whole thing off somewhat sheepishly. She didn't know it, but the more devious aspects of her personality were going to shine with a man like this in her life. "Indeed, it seemed pretty heavy~" the lass mentioned in an off-handed manner. Yes, she knew she'd given him a little help, but such help she could offer freely and saw no issues with even if he didn't ask. It seemed the lad had some understanding of the newness of his life, that he'd been developing over the last couple of weeks. There was something heartwarming about the idea that he had no issues sharing his new life with his new group. As an aside, he claimed to look at this whole thing more like a job than a roleplay which was better overall but still not quite the truth of it, as far as Guinevere was concerned. "I've been viewing it more like a build your own adventure book. If you are conscious of who you were to start with, then you simply get to write your own story from this starting point. It's only as much a job as you make of it, though you should remember your responsibilities if you put yourself in a position to take them on~" she said that was her own take. Still, she didn't mind this and wouldn't mind exploring this aspect of her life further with the man in question.

In the meantime, Sir Hector actually managed to make Merlyn a bit sheepish. She hadn't foreseen the nature of his words during this particular interaction... they made her blush beneath her hood. "Aww, Sir Hector... you're far too kind to me~" she managed in her usual teasing tone, though admittedly she was quite happy in the moment her face would go unseen. How unusual, she thought she was well beyond the phase of being stirred by such indirect words. Perhaps it helped that Sir Hector was a truly honorable individual so such words were pure truth from him? Whatever the case, her plan to procure meat for the whole of this little hamlet, was taken on by Hector without such much as a second thought. He apparently only required two things... firstly he wanted a bladed weapon, right, his own was a bit different from most. The second thing he wished was for her to finish up his work in this place? Such a thing was only fair considering she was sending him off to retrieve dinner. "Oh? I forgot the blade of Sir Hector was such a fickle being... of course, I will make one for you~" she said with a nod. Her staff spun in her hand and soon produced a sword similar in type to the one he currently held, at its pommel a jewel which was similar in color to Merlyn's eye. A grin passed her face as she handed it over. "Here you are, also I don't mind taking over here... it would be an equivalent exchange considering. I will see to it anyone left here ends up at the castle and that it is safe~" she said with a knowing smirk. She had no intention of doing more than she had to and poor Dagonet seemed to have had as many scares as his heart could take. "I'll be along when the beast is felled, thank you in advance, Sir Hector~" she mentioned as his sendoff. Of course, Dagonet was still here and he could stay with her or see to the people whichever he wished to do. "Would Sir Dagonet like to accompany me? I promise no more jump scares~" she teased.

Would Arthur ever know where the increased ease of transport for the Round Table came from? Likely not. Anything beyond the gesture itself wasn't a matter of importance anyway, so long as the table was moved. Down the corridors they went while Guinevere explained her perspective on living in this world. She took neither the work, nor the play approach, but instead adopted the perspective of a reader and writer. Hearing those words, he came to a proper conclusion at last. She was right, after all; this was life, not to be taken as just some job. However, as with a job, there was a certain seriousness that needed to be held. "Ah. I've got a good grasp on what we all are here, now that you put it that way. We should be more like... actors. We've all got a role to play, and that role is the most important thing to each of us. It's like an old grade school play I was in. The instructor just kept saying things like, 'play your role as if you're the main character' and all that. I was the main character, but... well, she said that to everyone. Though, now that I've said all that, it's probably better to consider this more like... just life, huh?"

Hector wasn't too kind at all, as far as he was concerned. He remembered Merlyn honoring his sacrifice, and in that very moment, he had infinite praise to offer her character. Moreover, the sorceress was genuine fun to have on the journey at large, and far more useful than she was given credit for being. Case in point, she was quick to use her sorcery for the sake of creating a blade for Sir Hector. The tool seemed remarkably similar to his own, which he was quite familiar with despite how infrequently he was able to use it. Interestingly though, there was a gem within this weapon, which shone a color he recalled seeing upon the sorceress herself. Hector twirled the sword, grinning as he commented on the tool. "Oh? Is this a special gift, or a reminder while I'm away? Many thanks, Lady Merlyn." The knight offered another bow alongside a flourish of his new blade. With that, he was more than ready to take on the flying bison to the east. This left Dagonet with a simple choice to make─ would he share the company of Merlyn? Well, if there were no additional frights to experience, he had nothing to be concerned about. "My~ it is not the place of a newborn knight to abandon a quest~, much less a lady in ne~ed," he said with the most grandiose bow any 'knight' had ever been seen performing. Even if he'd been scared half to death a dozen times on this adventure, he'd never be giving up on the task assigned to him... nor would he be abandoning his usual mannerisms.

Whether Arthur knew what she'd done or not, wasn't really important to Guinevere. In fact, it was fine for her if he had no idea... the simple fact of the matter was, she'd wished to help him in the moment and found a way to do it, that didn't compromise either of their sensibilities. What was more, it seemed her words helped Arthur center himself, and gave him a good idea of how to approach his new life. She could be happy to have helped in that regard as well. "That is a good way to think about it. Especially when you consider that none of us really have the script. It's like giving a room full of children base characters and telling them to improvise every interaction. Actually... yeah, that sounds about right. More like playground games when you're young... where there is a new rule every twenty-five seconds and you spend more time running around than actually knowing what's going on~" she mused knowing what kind of person she was in those situations. "Still, every role is important for all the reasons in the world," she said softly. "Just like life this world will be what you make of it... I think my only real aim is to try to leave it better than I found it~" she said softly. Such were the thoughts of the girl who was meant to be Queen, raised with a somewhat selfless outlook and wanting her mark on the world to be considered kind.

Ah, Sir Hector had taken note of this weapon. Merlyn didn't expect this either, though she'd created it with a certain amount of attention to detail as it were. A grin crossed her face as she responded the only way she could to his statement. "Yes~" she mentioned with happiness. Of course, soon after he departed but not without another bow and a flourish of that same weapon. She knew he'd see a decent bit of use out of it, at least for a time until his own weapon could be drawn. She could see that moment as well... how interesting. Her gaze was soon shifting though to the newest addition to the Knights Dagonet. That young man seemed to have many knightly qualities beyond the ones that Merlyn noted on her own. Not the least of which included his ability to stay the course of his actions as well as keeping up his usual demeanor regardless of the path before him. "Oh? Well when one shows such honor about completing his mission as well as offering a helpful hand to myself... I'd be remiss to refuse~" the lass mused. Still with that hood of hers in place she gestured with her gloved hand content to take up a casual stroll with the jester. "Off we pop then, Sir Dagonet... there are a few people yet to be directed towards the castle.~" she mused. There were no present dangers, a few starved families looking for scraps could be seen within the next building over but as they walked Merlyn would simply enjoy the company of the merrymaker and be gladdened by the softness of their current journey.

"So like... improv, yeah? That's pretty much what improv club is like; a constantly changing children's game where the 'actors' determine whatever plot with how they behaved." Despite his recent assertion, Arthur was content to accept this world as a new take on life. Problems here were very real, even if the consequences were still a bit grey─ though even that fact was quite realistic. The thought of leaving this life at all, though... Well, Arthur wasn't sure this would be anything more than yet another walk with a new group of people. Eventually, he'd find the people he knew. What would happen then? The answer was simple. If this existence continued beyond whatever goals he had, he'd accumulate the attachments to friends old and new, and continue just... living. With these thoughts floating about in that head of his, Arthur finally managed to roll the Round Table into the would-be courtroom, where he found a surprising number of people in wait. Sir Cador and Emilia were among these numbers, and he was sure Sir Elyan was somewhere nearby as well. "Huh. That was fast," he said with one final grunt to set the table in place.

Cador let his attention briefly slip away from a civilian whom he'd just about brought to the pinnacle of health with his spirit abilities. Arthur Pendragon and Guinevere were together, walking along with a circular table in tow. The scene was so perfectly sculpted, one like Cador could only chuckle upon seeing it. "Done having your special time already?" he mocked. "These are the people of Loch Ness. They are being tended to, and all awaiting salvation by the hands of Artoria Pendragon."

In the meantime, Dagonet and Merlyn reached an agreement to complete what remained of the search together. Sir Dagonet could have been fine without even Hector, in all honesty, but he was not at all used to being at the forefront of such matters. Being a knight in name now, he supposed there was no better time to get adjusted to the workload. Merlyn confirmed more people on the journey ahead, so he began walking right away. "Of course~ we must bring the innocents into the light of our overly-humble king Aaaarthur~! Let this jester go forth alongside the hidden beauty, the Witch of the Concealed Visage, and grant them all salvation unending~"

Arthur seemed to have a good idea of what she was getting at. Guinevere herself thought that this life should be undertaken as if it was new life, such a thought helped her better acclimate overall. "Yes, something like that... Adaptability is a key feature in such situations," she said with a small upturn of the corners of her lips. In a moment like this, she still remembered the words of Nerys. She'd make peace with that woman one day, and find out the logic of her supposed betrayal, from her own mouth and when she did, she'd finally be free of what plagued her in Zuria. She'd already come across new friends. She still had that ridiculous younger brother of hers to tease and... perhaps her own interests could shift quite a bit? Her own thoughts would eventually have her take a casual glance of course it would be during such a time that they'd finally reach their destination. And the teasing voice of Sir Cador came with the realization that there was a room full of people. Emilia looked up from the children she played with, to take note of the sudden reddening of Guinevere's face. "Oh? What's this?~" she questioned her friend with a wink. "Artoria Pendragon ascended a millennia ago... by all accounts. So, I suppose that means you're up, Arthur~" was all Guinevere had to say while she gathered herself from this most recent embarrassment.

At the same time, Merlyn was being amused by Sir Dagonet, who seemed to have a pretty good understanding of their current situation. "Hahaha~ Yes, our overly humble-king. He'll get there eventually," she managed with a soft chuckle. Even so, he wasn't wrong about her concealed visage nor her current status in the world. The first people they came across were huddled around a fire. No food in sight but stoking the flames anyways. How interesting... of course they'd exhausted the resources within this small building ages ago but still to move on without question wasn't always possible. "Hm, still I think the gentle musings of a Jester are much more trustworthy than someone as unseen as me.... I don't exactly inspire blind faith or salvation, Sir Dagonet~ Feel free to take the lead and it will be I who accompanies you~" she mused, though still those words as light as ever held the smallest hint of sadness. She'd protect this place and the dreams of its people for quite a while yet, and nudge these people into making a King out of Arthur. That should be happening now huh? Only a couple of buildings remained, they could easily clear them out Dagonet was persuasive enough, Merlyn was certain of this.

By sheer coincidence, Guinevere's state of embarrassment went unnoticed by Arthur. He could be a bit dumb at times, unable to tell what Cador and Emilia were even getting at when they spoke. One could say he even developed tunnel vision when realizing there were people needing care. "Salvation?" he questioned. That wasn't right; he couldn't bring any such thing to anyone. He couldn't truly save them, and he had no clue how to lead anyone outside of the workplace. What he could do though, was what he always did─ he could be a hell of a butler, chef, and other such things to ensure their wellbeing. Ah, but he was a stand-in, wasn't he? In the absence of Artoria Pendragon, it was his duty to fill the space. Though it left a bitter taste in his mouth to do so, he would act in the interest of these unfortunate people. Little did he realize, such moments were precisely when he had more room to shine as the would-be king to these people. "To be honest, I don't even know if I could find Artoria Pendragon if I tried. I don't think I can manage anything by way of salvation, but it looks like everyone here could use a meal and a good night's rest. We're all in the same boat, so let's make sure everyone stays aboard before worrying about anything else. There is food and safety in this castle. It might not be much when spread out, but I promise everyone will eat tonight."

Meanwhile, en route to the remaining citizens of Loch Ness. . . "Ahh yeeees, yes! There, but never here... for chivalry is not a choice, but a curse for one such as he, the Round Table's own king!" Dagonet chanted. He undoubtedly viewed this King Arthur as one worth following, but he viewed the man's morals as his own potential undoing. Dagonet wouldn't have been a knight by choice; he wouldn't have sought the title at least. A man like Arthur was exactly why he refrained from making that choice─ there were just too many niceties involved. Of course, Dagonet wasn't without his own moral compass. Words spoken by Merlyn reeked of depression, which was not allowed of any in the jester's presence. He would take the lead, yes, but it would not only be the people in this building whom he sought to bring joy. "Ah! Friends, you need not sully yourselves with open flames and empty bellies! Look~! The Knights of the Round Table have come from far away to take up residence with you all~! Oh?" His introductory statement ended with an open query. In the midst of this brief interruption in speech, he spun around Merlyn and reached out to grasp her cheeks from behind. All the while, balloon caricatures of each knight, Arthur, Guinevere, and Emilia. All figures were terrible representations, but all were dancing and merrymaking as they ate and drank next to a balloon castle. There was one missing: Merlyn. Alas, he had the real thing right in front of him! Though her face was hidden from onlookers, he could at least mimic its movements with his hand under her hood. "We even have with us the great wizard, Merlyn! Yes~ the myths are wrong! Merlyn, the sorceress whose divine graces enchant the minds and loins of men most righteous! Dare we unve~il her? Perhaps a pee~k can be obtained in the castle of Loch Ness, as the enchantress sips wine with the masses~!"

Arthur apparently managed to miss Guinevere's embarrassment. That was good for the lass. It seemed she'd get to look forward to a bit of blissful ignorance on the lad's part, which was a bit relieving when considering how easily she ended up in such a state. Ah, what an interesting pair these two could make potentially. But even beyond that, a shining moment for the young King Arthur. He would for a moment claim that he had no real ability to offer salvation but that instead he would give everyone here a place to sleep and rest for the night. "Hm, that was quite good..." mentioned Guinevere. She'd crashed and burned in her early days trying to give speeches, she respected this lad's ability to be both frank and open in such discussions as well as just his ability to be himself. It seemed the people would agree with this to large extent as most seemed content to settle in while being offered such things as places to sleep and food which they hadn't had much of. The castle would be quite a buzz in just a little while. A quiet hum and a gentle babble would begin to take place over the lake, people moving about here so much was quite uncommon so someone was coming to take a look... but who would emerge from the lake and what exactly were they witnessing here and now?

At the same time, Merlyn and Dagonet got to embark upon a journey to help the people. "Well, yes, that is a pretty succinct understanding of that issue~" mused Merlyn of Arthur and his potential failings. It was exactly those she sought to undo, but it was going to take much more than a few adventures to clear out a lifetimes worth of personality defects. Ah, but onto the people or at least that what Merlyn thought initially. Right just now, balloons were being created and a story being told. Merrymaking as indeed something Dagonet was good at, how anyone thought to silence him she couldn't understand. Even now as the story began to unfold, apparently her own balloon was missing. She was placed within the story instead with this young lad's hands upon her face beneath her hood moving her about to make her into an active participant of this entire situation. If Merlyn had any complaints to launch she was hardly capable. What with her cheeks being pulled and her face being moved about. Still so careful as her hood never moved. "Oh? Well, I suppose there was that myth about a man called Merlin but I've not see him~" she added with a casual flicker of her eyes, a gentle glimmer of them would be caught from beneath her hood. Still, she couldn't stop a small giggle from escaping her, even as her face was moved about in such a way. This lad was infectious and that was pleasant. She could at least forget the souring of her mood for a moment while she considered such things.

"Huh?" Arthur questioned mere seconds after Guinevere spoke. That was... good? As far as he was concerned, all he'd managed was to take himself off whatever podium he'd been on in these people's minds. He wasn't their king, and he wasn't their savior. They were people surviving, and he was no different. "As if. That wasn't even the least bit grandiose. I just didn't want anyone's hopes too high," he explained. Of course, if he'd been paying attention after that little speech, Arthur would have already realized his words had the opposite effect. To these people, if his words rang true, Arthur was the king they never knew they wanted... while certainly being the one they longed for deep within. None of these people wanted some tyrant to dictate their lives. They detested the idea of a self-proclaimed benevolent ruler who abused them in any way. Just what they needed, just what they deserved, was someone to simply help them─ all of them. Anyone capable of doing that, deserved the title of king in turn. "Anyway, it's going to be very difficult stretching out the food we have for all these people. Sir Hector and Sir Dagonet haven't returned yet, either, so there might be more to come. Any idea where Merlyn ran off to?"

Dagonet's little puppet show seemed to at least have the citizens' interest. Even a laugh or two were offered at Merlyn's expense, but best of all, he could hear and feel the laughter of Merlyn herself. Ah yes, the ultimate goal was being achieved. "No~ no~, nobody wants to see some dusty old man with a long beard~! Far be it from a humble merrymaker such as myself to enjoy grey roosters to a da~rling spring chicken! Oh, if only you could see what I have seen~! On my honor, it is the most wonderful sight to be seen by anyone~. Or... does the jester lie~? Is the sorceress a vile, decrepit troll masquerading as a woman~? It is worth finding out, no? Come~ come to the castle and discover the truth for yourselves~!"