Castle of Loch Ness

A grin spread across Merlyn's face as it was stated by Sir Hector that his work for Queen Kolin and thus his dedication to her had been a bit misleading. "Well, I wouldn't beat myself up over it... that one is an entirely different level of problematic~" she stated with the utmost amusement and honesty. Ah, but they were beyond that, Sir Hector seemed to catch up quite a bit, coming to the same conclusion as Sir Cador without much if any issue. But what did he have to say about it, nothing too negative, but that others should know. A chuckle escaped Merlyn, "I did kind of make a huge spectacle of showing everyone exactly what I was. That little show in Zuria was multi-purpose," she stated with a great deal of contemplation playing under her hood. "That being said everyone seems to have some idea... well, except Arthur," she said with a knowing smirk. "Still, he's the only person I've met so far to be completely immune to me. So, he likely just thinks the rest of you are weird~" she said with a slightly amused tone. "I should be clear though... I wasn't planning on keeping it a secret or anything. It just hadn't really come up in general conversation yet. The choices of each of you, are very important to me... so I thought I'd chat with each of you and find out how you felt..." she said with a wistful smile. Oh, but to be a girl. "I happen to think you'd make a lovely girl if you ever wanted to be one~" she teased without mercy. "Ah, and to be clear, Sir Hector has presently only seen me once. But anytime he wishes to... he can see me if it is his wish~" Merlyn left this man a rather open invitation, as much as she did Sir Cador, because it was rather obvious that the free will of mankind was more important to Merlyn than her own modesty.

A compliment for the kitchen at large did wonders for morale. Apparently in the moment, Arthur wished to know how the Roux was coming along. The lass had one tasting spoon and checked it for consistency and flavor before nodding her approval. "Roux is ready for use~" Emilia chimed as she checked on the rice, it was now at the point of steaming covered on low heat just to finish up and make sure it didn't stick. Ah... Emilia only had a bit left depending on how Arthur chose to handle his meats. Meanwhile, Guinevere made her way through both carrots and onions and awaited further instructions thereafter. "Whatever is going on here... vegetables are all ready and cooking whenever you need them."

Merlyn was right, he supposed. In the castle of Zuria, she did essentially leave herself bare for everyone to understand the nature of her being. That did make sense. Hector almost felt like a moron for not piecing things together beforehand, given that information. Alas, the type of creature she was, hadn't been seen on this continent in ages. Perhaps she didn't belong on this continent at all, actually. "Your approach is fair enough. I assume I am not the first to realize this; Sir Cador seems to always be more in the know than the rest of us anyway. Besides, you two seem to be on very friendly terms since Zuria," he commented, meaning no further implications than that. According to Merlyn in her next clause, Hector would make a lovely girl if he ever decided to be one. No, he'd likely never make a choice like that. "I wouldn't dare. Even if I did, I would never be half the woman Lady Merlyn is. The same could be said of others I would fail to compare to."

Ah, interesting. If Sir Hector wished to do so, he could bear witness to Merlyn's uncovered visage. "Oh?" he responded. He was not the type to infringe upon the personal space of another, though, so his approach would be quite different to Sir Cador's. When he next spoke, he did so with a bow. "It would be a knight's honor to gaze upon true radiance. By all means, if you are comfortable revealing yourself, I will gladly view you in your proper form."

The roux was ready, and so were the vegetables. Arthur was making quick work of the meat as well, taking the strange approach of cutting it into chunks from the outside in. In doing so, he passed the more cooked portions along for the roux, and allowed the rest to cook more thoroughly as a result. "Good, good! Guin, quicken that soup and have it sent out to Sir Cador. Everyone who isn't being served the first batch can have that to hold them over. Anyone got a taste for me?" He concluded with a request, being arms-deep in a giant slab of meat and incapable of testing the roux and vegetable mix for himself.

Merlyn found herself looking at Sir Hector with a raised brow beneath her hood. It seemed he did remember her show in Zuria for more than the ability to see her face in the moment. Having fed her pet she watched as the creature sank back into the depths. Surely she didn't belong on this continent, and at the very least her kind likely didn't belong in this realm at all, but the world placed her here, so here she was. "You are not the first, no. Sir Cador was in charge of my imprisonment while you were gone in Zuria. So, he was able to piece that together mostly on his own after seeing the sorts of things I was capable of. Beyond that his cooperation was necessary to ensure the best possible outcome in that situation~" she explained some of that missing information while remembering putting an entire small platoon of guards to sleep. "But you are the first to come to such a conclusion with so little information, and definitely the first to state it in so direct a manner~" she complimented the man who seemed to have no problems with the kind of creature she was. Ah, apparently Sir Hector didn't think he'd make a good girl, at least not half of what Merlyn herself or some other ladies were. "Oh pish-posh, you'd be a great little lady. All fiery haired and blue eyed, brandishing swords~ I imagine you'd be the talk of the town. Though admittedly, girl life is a different kind of tough... I wouldn't recommend it long term," she said her manner somewhat joking, but having been a girl the whole of her life she was quite serious. Emotional complications of girls and girl groups was... troublesome.

Ah, but what of her offer to be seen by this man? It seemed that unlike Sir Cador who would take for himself from her, Sir Hector would await her decision on the matter. He did so with a bow while admitting that he'd find it an honor to behold her. Oh she could tease this man to near death. His words were so honest, but also so open to interpretation? What would she do in the moment though? When he offered to view her radiance? "Sir Hector, you are far too kind~" she mused as she pushed her hood back. That little sliver lock atop her head bounced into place as she absently ran a hand through her hair and shook her hair loose. Oh, but she wasn't quite done yet, she couldn't really resist testing the waters just a bit when it came to Sir Hector. "But does the Sword Saint know he's flirting with me. And how very open to interpretation his words can be?~" she rhetorically questioned. Merlyn went about in the moment revealing herself in a form most complete. How was she doing this? By making articles of her clothing disappear from the ground up, so that if Sir Hector rose from that bow he'd be watching her naked body on the way up to her face. Yes, this was Merlyn as truly herself as she could be.

While something strange took place outside the kitchen was moving in harmony. Both Guin and Emilia took his calls for their work and completed their tasks in order. He also asked for tastes as his hands were busy with his own task of meat cooking. Ah, well... they had no problem providing this for him. A small tasting spoon of roux from Emilia for Arthur along with one of the vegetable soup from Guin. Both would be at his side to offer it up. While Guin prepared to take a pot of vegetable soup out to Sir Cador to be spread among the locals. "How is it?" asked Guin, who'd had a small taste and hadn't disliked it herself. The same could be said of Emilia who felt reasonably confident in her own efforts as well. "Me too..." she mentioned.

So, Sir Cador was the first to discover Merlyn's true identity. Hector, however, was apparently the first to make the discovery with a smaller amount of information at his disposal. That wasn't much of a feat; the signs were quite obvious in the end. In fact, it was likely that the only reason everyone didn't know, was because none expected such a creature in this corner of the world... ever. "Well, I suppose I will take solace in that. Small victories can be worthwhile," he said. Oh, but Sir Hector would soon enough be witnessing a small, worthwhile 'victory' as it were. Merlyn asserted that the life of a girl was a very different sort of hell than what menfolk could experience, and that was something very easy to believe. What was this, though? He began rising from his bow, intending to retort, but Merlyn was unveiling herself at the moment. Well... unveiling was much more specific than he would have thought. What was that about his flirting, and open interpretation? He hadn't really been flirting intentionally, though he was unopposed to the idea.

The knight's periphery had noted the removal of Merlyn's hood, but as his eyes rose, he first noted a lack of shoes... as well as the thigh-highs that seemed preferred by the sorceress. Oh─ there wasn't much of a cloak either, or any of one at all actually. Hector's rising gaze seemed to slow as he saw, segment by segment, pure, unguarded, skin. Though he was no stranger to a woman's flesh in either life, this particular sight was beyond breathtaking, even beyond the shock factor alone. "... Ahem. Goodness me, I wasn't expecting... this," he said as his gaze lingered still. Was this arousal? Yes. Poor Hector hadn't allowed himself to know such a thing for years. "Though I certainly have no reason to complain. What shall I make of this, then? Are you propositioning me, Lady Merlyn?"

Meanwhile, Arthur had a spoon held his way on two fronts. Both Emilia and Guinevere had segments of their collective dish ready for tasting, so Arthur first partook of the would-be less powerful veggie mix. A brief chew, a bit of sloshing about in his mouth, and he swallowed it to sample Emilia's roux. A short hum followed each taste. Once he was done, he moved to dump a few more chunks of meat into the roux. "Mm. Both seasoned beautifully, cooked to perfection. Excellent work, ladies; we're ready to start serving!" he announced, seeming quite satisfied.

He'd take solace in what she said about his figuring out her 'true' identity? That was good, Merlyn was fine with everyone knowing what she was, she'd shown them for that purpose. Of course, she was more than a bit surprised that it'd taken so long for them to catch on but that wasn't really something to find fault in. "Some of the best victories are small ones~" she said thinking of her own minor forms of victory over the last few weeks. Ah, but none of that really mattered after a few seconds. Her plan had gone into action, her words seeped into Sir Hector's ear, and beyond that, she was sure his gaze was traveling up her now exposed body. Nice. He claimed he wasn't expecting this a bemused chuckle escaped Merlyn. "Oh, I can tell~ Still, I'm told life's little surprises have their perks!~" How cute, Merlyn was having quite a good time, rather suddenly. The very honorable Sword Saint seemed to be experiencing some form arousal. Well, that was to be expected for the most part, though he didn't immediately act upon such a sight, so obviously he could resist if he wished to. Oh, and now a question? "Make of it what you wish~" she stated in answer to his first question. As for the more specific clarity of his secondary question, she had but one thing to say, while looking slightly pensive with a hand beneath her now exposed chin. "I am indeed propositioning you, Sir Hector," she calmly stated as if she wasn't currently naked. "Though admittedly I initially meant only to tease how open-ended your statement was, but I see this as an absolute win in my own case. As always though, that is an offer to be taken up at your leisure~ Far be it from me to keep a man from dinner, work or other pressing matters~" she stated, though she didn't immediately redress. No, Merlyn was actually exceedingly comfortable even while nude, so she'd put back on her clothes only when she was certain he'd seen enough...

At the same time, Arthur had a taste of both pieces of the dish along with the meat he was cooking. And what would his overall appraisal be? Pleasant!? That was how Emilia saw this... she openly squealed her happiness at the idea that she'd succeeded in this. At the same time, Guinevere smiled happily. "Well, that was pretty stressful, but... it all turned out well. Let's get everyone served then~" she mentioned happily. She opened the cabinets for proper serving dishes and knew that they would move to place settings magically without any extra work being necessary. At the same time laddles and spoons began moving about. She and Emilia both would pick up the soup and rice to begin serving, leaving Arthur to bring along the meat and sauces when he was ready. Yes, the whole of the dining hall was about to be served in the order Arthur had mentioned to start with, none had forgotten his rather specific instructions, though they'd compartmentalized a bit to keep track of their own smaller tasks.

Life's little surprises had their perks indeed. Such words were an incredible truth in the moment, as Hector couldn't fathom being without such a sight after witnessing it just the once. This was how succubi got by, wasn't it? Seeing alone was something no sane man would ever let slip from his memory, and apparently, Hector could be considered lucky enough to be propositioned. Her initial intention was to simply tease, she said. Even so, her offer remained just that: an offer. It was strange to Hector that he understood what she was, yet she wasn't predatory at all. Or... was she? She had to understand how unlikely it was that anyone would refuse even the most open offer to bed such a creature laid bare before them. In Hector's case however, here and now certainly weren't the place and time. He'd have to simply... appreciate the view he had for the time being. "If I must be frank, that is an offer I think no man in his right mind could ever refuse. If I could take it here and now, I would. Though, if the lady is free after the citizens of Loch Ness are taken care of, I would be glad to act as your... sustenance, as it were. Is that acceptable?"

Stressful, yes. Arthur himself hadn't experienced such troubles, aside from the general stress that came alongside perfectionism. No matter; the first dishes could be served to the hungry children outside. "Stressful work can be rewarding. Hopefully the children will be pleased with the first round, and everyone else will be satisfied with a bit of soup while they wait. I personally can't wait to have a bit myself," Arthur stated honestly, though there would be quite some time before his serving came. That was alright; this had become a day for tending to the people of Loch Ness. Besides, it wasn't like they would be running out of food any time soon. . .

Merlyn had showed herself to Sir Hector in the manner most befitting of his words. Of course, she took no issue with his lingering gaze, nor did she seem to have anything other than teasing words and extended flirtations for him. She knew her nature was one of a predatory creature. She knew she could sustain herself without making the offer in such an open way. Even so, it was her personal preference to make such offers as she liked and await those who wished to partake. Bonus points, if the happened to like her before properly setting eyes on her. In turn, Hector offered her more honesty. He claimed no man could turn her down really when such an offer was made and that he would have taken it immediately if he thought it possible. "Oh? You might be right about that... but I am a bit picky about who receives such offers," she said still managing to look pensive. He went on to claim that he would be glad to set such a date for a time after dinner. And even offered himself as a meal of his own accord. Merlyn's eyes widened only slightly, what a very expressive face this woman managed to have given it was unseen more often than not. "Well, I am in no position to turn down a meal of any magnitude, especially not one offered by Sir Hector~" she mused. She truly wasn't the sort to turn down his offer to feed her, if such was an offer he made of his own accord. She took the moments then, to redress herself, starting with her undergarments all lace and white and then layering on the others until she was fully dressed once more leaving only her hood aside for a few moments yet. "So, I'll gladly accept such an offer... after the citizens are taken care of in whatever manner Sir Hector intends to offer himself~" she teased now fully dressed again she extended a hand to the man instead. "Oooh, dinner is being served. One wouldn't want you to miss your own meal, Sir Hector~" the sorceress offered with teasing light running across her exposed face those glowing eyes of hers rather settled in her visage.

All the same, dinner was now being served to the children of Loch Ness. None too surprisingly, most were ready for food a hot meal wasn't something they'd had in quite a while. After they received their portions, it would be the women and elderly up next. Bowls cups and plates appeared before the next sets as they came back into the kitchens for the next sets of servings. All seemed to be going pretty well, they were indeed set to be satisfied by soup until all the next set of meats were ready to be eaten. "Yeah, I suppose it is pretty rewarding. They all seem pretty happy," mentioned Emilia. "Also it does smell pretty good~" she said not having had curry in quite a long time. "A taste of home!~" she claimed, which made Guinevere chuckle at the younger lass' expense. "You seem quite excited about that, but you did do the tougher part there, nice work Lia!~" mentioned Guin who gave the girl a gentle pat on the back as she passed her. All was going well and all were being served in turn.

"Picky, you say? In that case, I beg that you don't think me pompous for taking my choosing as a victory," Hector said with a grin, his gaze lingering evermore. The pair reached an agreement to reschedule their pleasure-seeking activities for later this evening, and Merlyn noted that citizens were being fed right this moment. If they were being served right now, he had a bit of time to dawdle. Hector didn't mind being the last to eat, and the additional time taken allowed him to witness the reapplication of Merlyn's clothes in a rather interesting sequence. Sir Hector could take a casual stroll back to the castle, but after only a few steps, he took pause. "Lady Merlyn... do you not eat? Obviously your sustenance is of a different sort than the rest of us, but have you ever considered dining as a human for the simple sake of doing it?"

Arthur watched as his two kitchen partners basked in the satisfaction of a job well done. Collectively, they all fed the children of Loch Ness. With that done, the next set would receive their dishes, and Arthur would have no exceptions. Stepping out ahead of the pair before exiting the kitchen again, he held a dish out for each of them to take. These weren't for handing out, but for them to eat. "Ladies and elderly next. Guinevere, Granny Emilia, I hereby relieve you of your duties~" he said jovially, seeming perfectly fine with the idea of serving the rest himself. It even seemed Cador was now willing, and able, to offer a hand as well.

"Mmhm~" Merlyn made the smallest noise of agreeance at the idea of being picky. The truth of the matter was, she only wanted to eat that which tasted good, and only wanted to bed people who were interesting to her personal taste. Therefore, Sir Hector could count himself among a very small sect of participants. "It is a victory and Sir Hector is one of my favorite knights, I wouldn't consider him pompous in the slightest~" she said with a great deal of earnestness. "Though he is more than welcome to be if he wishes~" she teased. Merlyn was full of such things and after redressing she easily found herself walking along side the Sword Saint enroute to the castle. Apparently, he felt it fine to dawdle and Merlyn did as well, but his topic of conversation made her raise a brow. She still hadn't replaced her hood so the young woman's face showed a rather obvious bit of surprise at the question. "I don't eat." she said thinking about it. "I..." she seemed a bit flustered running her hands though her hair in a manner which implied nervousness. "I drink from time to time, party a bit though its been quite a while. I've sat around with people while they ate but..." she gave pause. "It never really occurred to me to eat just because I could," Merlyn said. Without the desire to eat for sustenance and knowing foregoing the action wouldn't result in her death... she hardly recognized the need to eat as the kind of creature she was. So far out of the normal range of humanity was Merlyn that she seemed to have forgotten the social implications of eating. Besides... not being part of a group or anything, she interacted with others from time to time, but never did she properly make friends or consider the ramifications of human behavior. Humanity was something she watched, picked her food from, but not something she... directly interacted with anymore... right?

And while Merlyn had a crisis of humanity and her own embarrassment to deal with, Emilia and Guinevere got to feel relief that they'd managed their tasks properly. Words from Arthur came to the two with raised brows. "Oi, that isn't fair. I'm older than you but not that old... " Emilia pouted but she seemed to be in a good mood. Both of these lasses went on to remove their aprons and head out of the kitchen while letting their hair down. "You also did a nice job, Arthur~" Guinevere said before disappearing to sit with Emilia and await food she was also starving for. Cooking was such a dangerous thing but knowing Sir Cador was there to help she felt less inclined to argue about being given time off, in this case.

"A favorite knight, my goodness. Words like that from one such as yourself are exactly what swell men's egos, Lady Merlyn. I'm flattered," Hector said with another, albeit lighter, bow. He stepped slowly toward the castle of Loch Ness, hearing out Merlyn's explanation about her eating habits. From her words, it didn't seem she was incapable of ingesting food. If she could drink, she could surely eat. Alas, the social aspect of dining was something she did not experience in this world. What a shame. Hector sighed before additional words passed his lips, and when those words came, they only carried the weight of his sigh farther. "Really? Forgive my rudeness, Merlyn, but while I admire you without question... I do not envy you in the least," he stated plainly. In some hundreds of years, Sir Hector had encountered many people of many types; none reeked of such loneliness as what Merlyn revealed in a single clause. Something could be done about this though, even if it was something likely insignificant to an immortal. "Dine with us. Sir Arthur and everyone else will be having a meal worth enjoying; isn't it only right that you take a moment to enjoy things as well? You live forever; you may as well enjoy life."

Arthur hazarded a satisfying laugh at Emilia's expense. Ah yes, he hadn't forgotten their first conversation, even after everything that happened in the days following it. "I disagree. You're twice the age of human expectancy. Hey, at least that's something to brag about, right?" he said, all in good fun. After dismissing both Emilia and Guinevere, Arthur joined Sir Cador in preparing servings for all remaining residents of Loch Ness. While doing so, he seemed somewhat taken aback by the atmosphere found here in Loch Ness. Cador took note of this, and knew it was due to the reception Arthur was receiving without so much as a word spoken to the masses. "In case you're wondering, Arthur, the answer is yes─ this is the start of kingship."