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005: [ visual ] chivalry isn't dead

Usually, Arthur is good with public speaking. He's made countless rousing speeches, and being a prince has meant a great deal of being thrust into centre stage. It's a bit different when you're talking into a funny little machine though, and you can't actually see the masses of people you're addressing. Still, when he speaks, it's with an even (and slightly regal) confidence.

"My name is Prince Arthur Pendragon of Camelot. There are a few of you with whom I've spoken, and many more I have not."

"I'm making this announcement because I seek the assistance of those who would protect this city from the dangers that all too frequently seem to assail it."

"My kingdom, at home, is protected by a force of knights. We work together to ensure the safety of our people, and to defend against attacks - be it from fell creatures or simple troublemakers."

"It is my goal to establish a force like that here in Taxon. Being a knight requires courage, fortitude and discipline. You need only respond if you possess these qualities. Some experience in combat would be desirable, but if you have none and still wish to serve, I would be prepared to teach you."

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Transmission complete, Arthur glances over his shoulder at Morgana, giving her a wry look. "Spying on me, are you?"

Morgana sees his wry look and raises him a smirk.

"You were talking to everyone, were you not? I happen to be within earshot, that is all."

Edited 2010-04-20 01:05 (UTC)

"That's convenient." He replies dryly, though it's evident that he's not actually bothered about her listening.

"So what do you think of the idea?"

Yes, he does value her opinion. Try not to look too happy about it.

She tilts her head slightly, in consideration. What Morgana's considering is how to best deliver her opinion, not the actual opinion itself.

She settles with practical instead of smug. "There is a middling hall in the West corridor," well, it was the West corridor at home, now it faces North, but that's beside the point. "It is large, bright, and should suit any meeting, or indoor training purposes you may have." Once she has made sure to clear the room of all tapestries, and any delicate furniture.

"I would be happy to assist you in this endeavor, should you need it." There, that's her opinion. She's jumped from his suggestion to making sure everything will run smoothly. She approves.

Although, there is one thing she needs to clarify. To make said point, she steps closer to him, slightly invading his personal space, to set him off-kilter. Cue a serious, and, potentially vexed lady of Camelot. "Just because I am assisting you," yes, she naturally assumes he would accept her help, "does not, under any circumstances, mean I work for you."

Taxon's new economy might be getting in the way of her pride a little bit.

He's about to express an opinion (of agreement) on the subject of the merits of the West corridor hall, when Morgana is suddenly attempting to intimidate him, and a good deal closer than she was previously. Ordinarily, that technique might have succeeded, but in this case he's more than a little amused. He smirks, and leans in conspiratorially, mirroring her tactics.

"So, in spite of the fact that you would be getting paid to be in my employ, and would be assisting me in my enterprise, you do not work for me?"

Well, if Arthur isn't off-kilter, as of yet, Morgana will have to do something to make him off-kiltered -- even if that isn't, technically, a verb.

While she doesn't touch him, she leans ever that much more closely, and stretches a little, as if she's about to stand on her toes and whisper in his ear, neither of which she does. She's quiet, but firm, when she speaks, "I shall be advising when necessary, and assisting when possible, with an added monetary reward. Such things might involve making sure the West corridor hall, is as you would like it to be, which would certainly help establish your authority with your new band of knights." Yes, Arthur, she knows what needs to be done, furnishing, food, even in regards to the armory, try finding someone else in Taxon who would.

In other words, she's the only one with all of the qualifications fit for the position, but if he would rather try muddling through on his own, he can debate it.

There is some definite kiltering going on (it should be a verb), but he stands his ground admirably. Sort of. All this close proximity business is a bit distracting. Isn't there some sort of law against the use of feminine wiles in debate situations?

"You're being rather presumptuous aren't you, Morgana?" Her confident use of the future tense being what he's referring to here. "I haven't even accepted your offer yet."

No, there isn't a law. As for kiltering, if Morgana has her way, it will be a proper verb, complete with formal definition, very shortly.

Although, she is rather impressed with how he's managing to stay on topic. She must be losing her touch.

She's careful not to smile. A smirk, at this moment, would ruin everything. Instead, she places her hand on his upper arm, and taps her fingers. It's the same movement one would make if impatient, or thinking. "I am sorry, my lord," there isn't a note of teasing with the title. "If you would prefer not to work with me, or use my expertise," she pauses and looks at him, earnestly, "then you will have to find someone else as capable."

See, Arthur, she's being oh so practical about the situation.

That, and she has a backup plan.

No, she's not losing her touch. The hand on the arm is the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back, and although he's well aware that he's being wrapped around her little finger like a... particularly pliant doormat, she does happen to be right - there's no-one else for the job, and he's not very good at holding out when a beautiful woman is being persuasive. Least of all when it's Morgana. He rolls his eyes, conceding reluctant defeat.

"Fine, the job is yours - and I accept your terms."

Morgana's feeling charitable with his agreement, so she would simply think he's being practical. Also, the backup plan might have reignited the earlier war of silence, and Morgana, would rather not resume those hostilities.

Despite this current admission, she suspects she's not heard the end of the employer/employee debate, but she will deal with all that at a later time.

As for Arthur, he does earn a smile for so reasonably acquiescing in the force of such convincing arguments but there are now specifics of the job she should get to, "So, the West corridor hall is agreeable to you then, or would you like me to arrange some other space for you?"

It's all very practical, but she hasn't actually stepped back, as of yet.

Oh no, there will no doubt be teasing remarks to come in the future, but for now he's more concerned with keeping her sweet, so he'll bide his time and wait for the opportune moment(s).

"No, that hall will be fine, thank you. And I expect we'll use the dueling arena for outside practice and training. I'm not sure how many of them I'll be needing to instruct in swordplay yet."

He hasn't stepped back either - it hasn't occured to him yet that this level of closeness probably isn't appropriate for casual conversation.

Morgana would expect no less, and, to be honest, she would never put this much care in dealing with a doormat. It's also important that somehow, in the midst of her trying to play him, he's succeeded in keeping her sweet. Strange how that works.

While she does not step away, she does release his arm. Somewhere, in the back of her head, now that she's succeeded in her goal, propriety is starting to demand some attention.

"It will be good to get some use out of all of these rooms, and the dueling arena. I'm sure you have not had the time you would prefer to practice, with everything that has gone on." Yes, managing the Royal Chambers, bombings, trials, wars of silence, and having to be company to a not always so pleasant recovering patient, probably do take up a great deal of time and if he were ever to catch her at a weak moment, she might admit to feeling a bit guilty about those last two.

"This is a good plan, Arthur." Look a compliment. Yes, she's still feeling sweet.

"No, I'm probably about as rusty as Gaius on a rainy day." Arthur sniffs, shaking his head disapprovingly at himself (he doesn't blame her - he could've found the time if he'd applied himself, and he's always extremely self-critical, in spite of appearances.) He finally steps away, breaking the odd tension and looking about for his sword. It's times like these he needs Merlin around.

The compliment earns Morgana a smile though, over his shoulder. "Thank you."

"I am quite certain you would never be as rusty as that." The mental image does make her both a bit wistful, and amused.

An interruption would have been welcome, about 10 seconds before propriety went from the back of her head, to the forefront of Morgana's mind.

So, there is only one way with which to deal with such things. "I am going to inspect the room, and see what needs to be done." In truth, she already knows what needs to be done, but is her excuse to extricate herself before genuine awkwardness sets in.

She also needs to make sure the dueling area will be suitably empty.

With that, she turns to leave. They have other things, such as being industrious, to get back to.

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005: [ visual ] chivalry isn't dead

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