☩ there is no friend like a sister, in calm or stormy weather ☩

[magicalskeptic]

If Morgana were the type to be bouncy, or externally show impatience in public, she would here.  The impatience that she's trying to quell, isn't they type born of annoyance.  It's quite the opposite; she is impatient to share her news with Gwen.  Beneath that, is a small case of nerves that Gwen will not share her enthusiasm

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[consorting]

There is something refreshing about returning to Xanadu after everything that had happened. The dragon attacking, her being quite certain Arthur and Merlin would perish, and of course the loss of her friend. She worried what would become of her mistress out there alone. No one really knew where she was taken to and how she left, but Arthur and Merlin blamed themselves silently for her being taken away from her home. Gwen learned a great many things having to get on without Morgana with Camelot in crisis, but though she could hold her head a bit higher she still wept for her friend

[magicalskeptic]

Gwen steps into view, and Morgana waves, with as much enthusiasm as is appropriate for a lady to show -- perhaps a little bit more, but she will steadfastly refuse to feel guilty about it.

Morgana has a basket of her own, but doubts its contents resemble anything Gwen may have in hers.

"My dear friend," she is beaming when Gwen is close enough, and steps up to hug her, should such a thing be welcome. "I have two things I am dying to show you."

pardon my icons.

[consorting]

She hurries her pace when Morgana comes into sight, not at all ashamed of lifting her dress enough to job briskly to her friend and embrace her. Perhaps it is tighter than usual, though she keeps herself from saying how glad she is that Morgana is safe. Worry is not something she wants on such a happy reunion.

"Was I absent for very long?" she says with a bright smile as she finally releases her. "You must tell me all I have missed."

She's not surprised to find Morgana has important news for her, but she readjusts the tousled flowers and fruits in her basket and listens attentively to what it is. It's a welcome change from the half destroyed streets of Camelot.

Re: pardon my icons.

[magicalskeptic]

Morgana holds back a quip of too long because though she will tease Gwen, she doesn't want Gwen to worry that there might be some truth to it.

There is, but Morgana is trying to remain focused that Gwen may do as she pleases. Should things go as planned, they shall be business partners, not mistress and maid.

A list of news spills from her, "You are aware I have been staying with the Countess Petrana, are you not? Also, do not be surprised but I have learned there are not one, but two people in Xanadu that share my appearance. Is that not odd?" There's a pause, but it is only for breath, "and you must meet Veda."

[consorting]

She can't help but laugh some at how much Morgana has to say without a breath for Gwen to respond. She nods to the first question, still bright eyed and smiling as she takes everything in.

"Yes of course, I knew you were well acquainted with the Countess before coming here," The second and third bit of information leave her somewhat perplexed. "There are people who look like you? And I am not familiar with Veda..or very many people here for that matter."

[magicalskeptic]

Gwen's laughter gives her a moment to breathe. "I am sorry. That was quite a bit was it not?"

She moves to take Gwen's arm, as they would when out for a stroll. While explaining, Morgana is, slowly and gently, in a style that is much more Gwen's, towards where she wishes them to end up. "There are two. One is Mary Wallace. I have only met her the once, and as she is significantly taller than me, I doubt people would mistake us. The second is Veda, Viscountess of Borune." There is a great deal more to that story, and Gwen is probably the one person in Xanadu to whom Morgana would tell it.

"But she is not the Veda to whom I am referring, though you will need to meet her as well."

[consorting]

She links her arm in Morgana's, keeping them close enough to still walk comfortable side by side. She can feel Morgana's wandering is less than aimless, but she isn't opposed as there must be something of interest. Perhaps Morgana has found a place to stay.

"Taller?" Gwen's slightly perplexed as Morgana already stood quite tall for a woman back at Camelot, though the people from other far away lands stood at all different heights. "You must help me to keep track of all of these Vedas, Morgana. Especially the significant one."

Gwen's curiosity finally gets the best of her however; "Where are we headed? I do not think I have been near here before."

[magicalskeptic]

To many people, both Morgana and Gwen would seem tiny indeed to most, but not back in Camelot. At first glance, they would be a quite unassuming pair. Though, back in Camelot, it was rare for the former to be underestimated and Morgana would never be foolish enough to underestimate the latter -- or allow anyone else to do so.

"The two Vedas will be easy enough to tell apart, I assure you." She's laughing, but not at Gwen, more at how different the two Vedas are.

"We are near the stables. I prefer this part of the city as it is simple enough to procure a mount, should we wish it," yes, she is assuming the pair of them. It's not meant to be decisive, more that she cannot imagine Gwen not being a part of Morgana's life here. "Sir Lamorak lives around here." That will need further explanation before Gwen's Morgana's talking positively about a knight senses tickled. "He assisted me on my first night in Xanadu, but I have yet to see him since."

She's looking ahead of her, it's not far now.

this icon just because i never get to use it. damn you arthur pendragon

[consorting]

"It will be difficult to adjust to someone who isn't you looking like you. I worry after running into them in the market and calling the wrong name."

Guinevere throws Morgana a look, quite sure she has made a great deal of headway into things and assumed Gwen's partaking in it. It did not worry her so much as it concerned her; Morgana wants the very best for her though Gwen would just as easily enjoy a more modest life. But she would never leave Morgana's side regardless, or at least not while she has a choice. Either way she is still just as excited to see it as Morgana seems to be about showing her it.

"I'm not familiar with him... I thought I met all the knights to be met here," she comments offhandedly. True, they are very far from Camelot but she can't help but only have eyes for one particular knight she turned down... perhaps she should be looking elsewhere.

If only we could find an Arthur!

[magicalskeptic]

"You know me too well to ever mistake one of them for me." The pitiful truth is, Morgana's quite certain Gwen is the only one in her life who would never make that mistake.

"You would like Sir Lamorak. He is a kind gentleman," Gwen gets a sideways glance, "and rather easy on the eyes." Unlike her companion, Morgana's certain that Gwen is more than her modest life. Morgana would have difficulty accepting the world if it relegated the kind and the good to secondary characters in their own story.

The slightly run down looking building comes into view. It simply looks unlived in, and uncared for, as opposed to any serious damage. There is ivy up the walls, and the lawns are in need of a small herd of sheep to keep it grazed, but Morgana knew it was perfect the moment she first saw it.

"What do you think?" There is a great deal riding on Gwen's answer.

indeed. think of the awkward!

[consorting]

"That is true," as she cannot deny she could pick Morgana out in the deepest of forests on the darkest of nights.

"Oh is he?" Gwen says, humoring Morgana with a inquisitive tone, though her expression must look as though she is suppressing another laugh. "What good are knights to me? They who must put their valor before themselves..."

There's a tinge of bitterness in her otherwise sweet voice, but she switches subjects along just as quickly as her nearly rambling friend.

"It's... lovely," her hesitance is more in awe than anything as she examines the castle before them. It's so familiar to her in design though very much unlike the castles in Albion. She looks to Morgana after a moment of reverie, trying to ascertain why they would need such an abode. "What do you plan to make of it?"

It would be more fun than a barrel of monkeys -- wait -- are those fun?

[magicalskeptic]

"Such is the problem with honourable men. In order to demonstrate their honour and bravery, they must leave to make their mark." Just to show how much Morgana's grown in the past while. "I think someone should remind them it takes as much bravery to stay and be honest."

Gwen gets another sideways glance, this one nowhere near as amused as the last and it turns into an outright stare when Gwen tries to change the subject. She turns and scrutinizes her, as she would a tailor attempting to sell a bolt of cloth full of catches and trying to cover the flaws with smooth words.

"Gwen," the name is slightly drawn out. "Are you talking of knights in general or one in particular who is clearly a fool?"

i imagine it's fun in an awkward way. it works!

[consorting]

"And yet they are honest in their arrogance, aren't they? I've never known one who didn't believe all that they were capable of," The bitterness has faded as she thinks on that. Perhaps that is why she found them so appealing as people, though despised the more pretentious ones. A honorable man who believed in his plight was hard to find, indeed.

Guinevere can see Morgana gazing intently out of the corner of her eye, and she pauses and takes a breath before turning to her with a smile. It's sincere, and she even laughs at the accusation. Though whether it's at the thought of Arthur being a fool or the entire lot she's not quite sure.

"The ones we've had far too much exposure too, at least." Not quite a lie in every respect. "Save Lancelot, I think." It pains her a bit to even think on him, but she dare not speak ill of him when he seemed the most genuine of them all.

A little crowded though, for the monkeys.

[magicalskeptic]

Morgana's mind is turning. "Yes, we have known many knights who could be called honest through their arrogance." She is putting pieces together slowly, very slowly, probably because her mind would have difficulty believing things.

"I was unaware you had such exposure to Lancelot." There is a bit of a lengthening of the word exposure.

Her brain will get the rest, eventually, but Gwen's distracted it with this tidbit of information.

[consorting]

"I can't discredit all of their qualities. Those two are just the most prominent." She's bad at this back-pedaling thing. All she can do is speak honestly and hope little convincing is required.

"Her and Merlin were fast friends. He was in Camelot a short while, though I spoke with him at great length."

There was no need in worrying Morgana over her being kidnapped; the whole debacle that involved Lancelot and her crossing paths a second time broke her heart as well as reaffirmed her faith in him, but Morgana needn't know the details. There was no reason for her to blame herself once more for what was out of her control.

[magicalskeptic]

Gwen can be grateful for two things. The first is that her explanation is perfectly reasonable, even though Morgana is fairly certain she does not have the full story.

The second, is a distraction from her basket, which has started moving slightly, and making small, pitiful noises. It's a good distraction as it means the puzzle her mind is forgotten for a moment. "We should go inside as someone wishes her freedom."

The puzzle isn't forgotten, just placed aside for a while.

Isn't it convenient that Morgana has a key?