dear_mun | (no subject)

What's there to kid about?

{Hel-lo. He'll just sidle right up}

[And she'll just be flailing, all right.] Nothing! I mean. Lots of things, obviously, but nothing here.

{he gives a sweeping bow}

Gwaine. And you, my lady?

Merle.

[Her returning curtsy should really be better than it is, considering how long she's been working for royalty, but she just wouldn't be... her if she didn't still fumble it a bit.]

A pleasure indeed Lady Merle.

Now what matter is being kidded about? For your beauty is not one to jest.

[Augh, augh, flushing red now.] Oh, I'm not... really a lady.

Oh no? A princess then.

{he gives another deep bow with a wink}

[And a sort of a snorty-laughing noise.] More of a servant.

Oh no, not you, my lady.

{he kisses the back of her hand}

Me? Oh, I definitely am. Merle the Servant, they would... call me if they bothered to call me anything.

Ah but you're so much more than that. Whoever dismisses you as just a servant is a fool.

And you'd know that... how?

Eyes are the windows to the soul. And your eyes are the most beautiful I've seen.

[Okay, even if you are stupidly handsome, that was awful, and she kind of can't help a snort of laughter.]

{}he chuckles as well because come on, what is the point if you can't laugh at yourself.}

What castle are you servant to , then? Perhaps Arthur could send an envoy to it.

Camelot.

{what. His brow furrows.}

Camelot?

[A sharp nod.]

Camelot.

{}WHAT. A maid in the castle that he didn't know?!}

And why haven't I seen you before?

Maybe you weren't looking?

I've made it my solemn duty to assist every maid in the castle at least once.

{he looks closer. Wait a minute. She bears a striking resemblance to someone.}

I'm sure you have.

[She doesn't like the way he's looking at her. Can she duck away now?]

Wait.

You look slightly familiar.

{the cheekbones are sharp. Like someone else he knows}

Are you kin to Merlin?

What? No! No, of course not.

{He's not sure he believes her}

Why of course not? He's one of the most noble men I know.

[Augh augh blushing again. BLUSHING.] Well, of course he's - I'm just not -

[Does he believe her yet? This may be as good as it gets.]

Who are you, Merle?

I'm me! Just me. Nothing special.

How do you know Merlin then?

Well, he's... you know... him. Everyone knows of Merlin a little bit.

{he laughs and shakes his head}

I must be seeing things because you look like you're practically his kin. Like a cousin or...

[Must side-track!] So how has your quest to help unsuspecting maids gone?

...and you dodge questions like he does.

I'm not dodging. Just interested.

{he'd push more...were he that type. But he isn't. Gwaine just shakes his head. Should Merle wish to tell him whatever it is, she would.}

I'm not one to aid and tell, dearest lady Merle.

Of course not.

Which brings me to my original intent. Are you in some sort of trouble that needed to be joked about?

Noble or other treating you unwell?

Oh, no. Nothing like that.

Then what is it? I am but your humble servant.

[Urg.] Nothing! [Her voice may have squeaked a little.] Nothing, I'm fine. Honestly.

You sounded a more distressed.

{though he won't lie and say he did not enjoy flirting with her}

No distress here!

Maybe a mite.