Merlin in Eternia (Closed RP)

"Huh? Th-This can't be right. I was trying to summon... Actually, I wasn't trying to summon anything."

@youraveragemage

"The "creature" is Skeletor. And that is a name you will learn to fear, mage!"

Merlin chuckles and leans her body on a hip looking at the bone creature. Could she turn the thing to dust? It would probably have to be experimented on later. “Oh look at me~. I’m positively shaking in my deer leather boots.” She says in a falsetto the back of her hand to her head, very obviously not shaking. “And Mage is just a title, and it is very much capitalized like this ‘Sorceress’ individual I heard about. I would tell you my name, but that would mean I care for you to remember it.”

"I don't need to know your name," said Skeletor. "You're nothing but a walking sack of flesh and bones hiding what I really want. And it's going to be all mine."

Skeletor put his hand through a small portal. His hand then manifested into a giant hand that grabbed Merlin from behind and squeezed.

"Wow. I didn't think that would work."

"You don't think at all, you bolt-brained buffoon."

Merlin looks at the hand that was squeezing her and then her body just seemed to disappear, then a bird was sitting on the huge skeletal hand giving Skeletor a look that said: you honestly believed that would work? Really? The bird was huge, feathers of fire blazing causing the huge hand to get on fire. The bird disappeared revealing the Mage again. “You know, that was almost quite impressive.” She remarks sitting near the flames, the orange, red and yellow making her black hair soak the colors while her eyes stare at the skeleton. Let him try something stupid again, it just might be fun. “The key word is almost though.”

As Merlin finished speaking, several volts of electricity was sent surging through her body, electrocuting her.

"Pompous, arrogant, and too easily distracted. You magic users are all alike. Nothing but inane fools."

"Are we, Triclops?"

"Uh, w-with obvious exceptions, my lord."

Merlin takes the electricity buzzing in her system only shaking a few times and gathered the energy to redirect it out in the air. The air seemed to become harder to breathe and stand in, pressure pushing down on those that had attacked her. She was breathing a bit harder but otherwise didn’t look too shaken up. “Were I someone else. Someone without mercy, I would make sure you didn’t survive me.” She says the air turning ice cold around the electric user. “As it is, you have one chance to leave while I may allow it.” The Mage of Camelot didn’t anger easily, the last time she did she made Camelot and the whole of magic but for a few pockets disappear in her own universe. This was her mercy on its last threads.

Merlin in Eternia (Closed RP)

"Huh? Th-This can't be right. I was trying to summon... Actually, I wasn't trying to summon anything."

@youraveragemage

"The "creature" is Skeletor. And that is a name you will learn to fear, mage!"

Merlin chuckles and leans her body on a hip looking at the bone creature. Could she turn the thing to dust? It would probably have to be experimented on later. “Oh look at me~. I’m positively shaking in my deer leather boots.” She says in a falsetto the back of her hand to her head, very obviously not shaking. “And Mage is just a title, and it is very much capitalized like this ‘Sorceress’ individual I heard about. I would tell you my name, but that would mean I care for you to remember it.”

"I don't need to know your name," said Skeletor. "You're nothing but a walking sack of flesh and bones hiding what I really want. And it's going to be all mine."

Skeletor put his hand through a small portal. His hand then manifested into a giant hand that grabbed Merlin from behind and squeezed.

"Wow. I didn't think that would work."

"You don't think at all, you bolt-brained buffoon."

Merlin looks at the hand that was squeezing her and then her body just seemed to disappear, then a bird was sitting on the huge skeletal hand giving Skeletor a look that said: you honestly believed that would work? Really? The bird was huge, feathers of fire blazing causing the huge hand to get on fire. The bird disappeared revealing the Mage again. “You know, that was almost quite impressive.” She remarks sitting near the flames, the orange, red and yellow making her black hair soak the colors while her eyes stare at the skeleton. Let him try something stupid again, it just might be fun. “The key word is almost though.”

Merlin in Eternia (Closed RP)

"Huh? Th-This can't be right. I was trying to summon... Actually, I wasn't trying to summon anything."

@youraveragemage

"The "creature" is Skeletor. And that is a name you will learn to fear, mage!"

Merlin chuckles and leans her body on a hip looking at the bone creature. Could she turn the thing to dust? It would probably have to be experimented on later. “Oh look at me~. I’m positively shaking in my deer leather boots.” She says in a falsetto the back of her hand to her head, very obviously not shaking. “And Mage is just a title, and it is very much capitalized like this ‘Sorceress’ individual I heard about. I would tell you my name, but that would mean I care for you to remember it.”

Merlin in Eternia (Closed RP)

"Huh? Th-This can't be right. I was trying to summon... Actually, I wasn't trying to summon anything."

@youraveragemage

Merlin didn’t know why she was there but the being in front of her really shouldn’t have said: ‘I was trying to summon’ while in front of her, she looks at the being her temper on a razors edge of being snapped. “It takes a lot of balls, grit, and magic power to ‘summon’ me. I don’t know if I should be angry or impressed. So I’m going to be both. Who and what are you?” She demanded her eyes promising death if she didn’t like the answer.

"AH! M-MY NAME'S ORKO! I'M A TROLLAN! DON'T HURT ME!"

As the little Trollan put up his hands to defend himself, he accidentally blasted Merlin and sent her flying out the window.

"Oops... SORRY!"

Merlin used her magic to grow wings catching a draft and steadying on it looking down at the buffoon. Electricity formed a bow and arrow on her hands, as she aimed the magic attack at the idiot. “The impressed part died. I don’t enjoy being made a fool of. A trollan?” She asked buzzing being heard as she stared down at the idiot. She sighed and shot the attack out the window flipping to do so gracefully. CCCCRRAAACK…….BBBBBOOOOOOM! went the thunder flashing menacingly across the sky, making it rain. “You’re lucky I don’t kill buffoons when I’m caught off guard twice. Fool me twice and all that.” She remarked letting go of the spell to land on the floor with a flourish. “Although I wouldn’t suggest trying my mercy.” She stated dusting her clothes. “So. What were you trying to do with your magic that it went so pear shaped?” She asked idly curious.

"I-I was trying to contact the Sorceress," the little magician admitted. "But I guess I got my spells mixed up... Again..."

The look in the small creature's eyes had emotions as clear as spring water. This was not the first time the little guy had messed up, and it was probably wouldn't be the last. Guilt and shame radiated off the Trollan like light from a lantern.

Sorceress? Merlin tilted her head. That was one word for witch no? The emotions were as clear to her to see as if he were writing them out in bold clear lettering. “Who is this sorceress? Or is it capitalized much like ‘Mage’ is?” She wondered. After all she was given that label, since she held magic in her being. She takes out a notebook and began writing in it, an automatic gesture whenever in a new realm or area. It wouldn’t do to lose any more memories than whatever she had lost with those earlier shows of power. At least she still had her name clear in her mind. She would need to do a lot more magic to lose her identity.

"Sh-She watches over Castle Grayskull. Her magic derives from "The Power." It's the greatest source of Magic in the universe."

Merlin snorted. “Maybe in this universe.” She said wondering in a one on one battle who would be the strongest between two powerhouses her or this Sorceress, but it was idle curiosity. She didn’t believe in fighting unless and until her life was in danger. “She isn’t so strong that she can travel then. Interesting to note.” She wondered if it was because her ways of travel were Fae gifted. They held absolute power over their influence, and didn’t often give gifts. But she would have to find out a different way. Maybe.

Just then, a bunch of guards entered, joined by their commander.

"Stay where you are! Hands where we can see them!"

Merlin chuckles a derisive sound smiling at them a dangerous aura coming from the Mage. “And who are you to think you can command me?” Sometimes she went with the flow. Other times she was the absolute powerful asshole just to see how far she can push people as boredom was something even she suffered from. Being an advisor to Arthur at one time, she had very little respect for mortals who didn’t earn it.

"Captain of the guard, that's who." said the man in front of her. "I am the Man-At-Arms."

As he said this, someone else walked in.

"W-What's going on? Sh-She's not here to hurt Prince Adam, is she? Wait... I-Is she working for Skeletor?"

“Oh! I’m somewhere that has actual talking animals. Pleasure to meet you.” She says getting on her knees in front of the animal offering her wrist to smell, completely ignoring the captain of the guard. To animals she still had a scent of the wild forest on her. It was permanently a part of her since she had been raised in a forest full of magic. “I don’t work for anyone but myself, and I do not harm those who do not first try to hurt me.” She promised.

"That's a relief. We were worried you were one of Skeletor's goons."

“If someone else refers to me as someone else’s employ I really may lose my temper. I don’t enjoy repeating myself.” She says pleasantly giving the animal a gentle scratch under the chin with a smile. “What a big a strong animal you are. What species are you?” She asks to be polite to the creature.

"Cringer is a crossbreed." said Adam. "Half tiger, half dragon."

“I’m sure Cringer could have answered. But I will take if if they don’t mind.” She remarked with a curious look. “Now how did that occur?” She asked academically curious.

"I'm not really sure," said Cringer. "I was orphaned as a cub."

Merlin smiles sympathetically. “Taken away from your parents. I know that story well.” It was her own after all. Stolen and forgotten by her family, all because she had the power of magic at its purest form.

"Adam was the one who found me," said Cringer. "He and his parents are my family. The only one I've ever known."

“You’re lucky then to be taken in by someone who cares for you.” She says with a small smile. She was often a little envious of those that were raised with affection. She got a very minuscule amount of it herself. “So who is this being who everyone confused with me working for them?” She asks standing on her feet.

*ZAP*

"You're about to find out."

“Speak of the devil thrice and all I suppose.” Merlin remarked hearing the zap and had a hand in a pocket ready to pull out a weapon to defend herself if necessary. “An animated skeleton? Is it possession or necromancy that still allows the creature to move and speak?” She asks curiously not really worried at the moment.

Merlin in Eternia (Closed RP)

"Huh? Th-This can't be right. I was trying to summon... Actually, I wasn't trying to summon anything."

@youraveragemage

Merlin didn’t know why she was there but the being in front of her really shouldn’t have said: ‘I was trying to summon’ while in front of her, she looks at the being her temper on a razors edge of being snapped. “It takes a lot of balls, grit, and magic power to ‘summon’ me. I don’t know if I should be angry or impressed. So I’m going to be both. Who and what are you?” She demanded her eyes promising death if she didn’t like the answer.

"AH! M-MY NAME'S ORKO! I'M A TROLLAN! DON'T HURT ME!"

As the little Trollan put up his hands to defend himself, he accidentally blasted Merlin and sent her flying out the window.

"Oops... SORRY!"

Merlin used her magic to grow wings catching a draft and steadying on it looking down at the buffoon. Electricity formed a bow and arrow on her hands, as she aimed the magic attack at the idiot. “The impressed part died. I don’t enjoy being made a fool of. A trollan?” She asked buzzing being heard as she stared down at the idiot. She sighed and shot the attack out the window flipping to do so gracefully. CCCCRRAAACK…….BBBBBOOOOOOM! went the thunder flashing menacingly across the sky, making it rain. “You’re lucky I don’t kill buffoons when I’m caught off guard twice. Fool me twice and all that.” She remarked letting go of the spell to land on the floor with a flourish. “Although I wouldn’t suggest trying my mercy.” She stated dusting her clothes. “So. What were you trying to do with your magic that it went so pear shaped?” She asked idly curious.

"I-I was trying to contact the Sorceress," the little magician admitted. "But I guess I got my spells mixed up... Again..."

The look in the small creature's eyes had emotions as clear as spring water. This was not the first time the little guy had messed up, and it was probably wouldn't be the last. Guilt and shame radiated off the Trollan like light from a lantern.

Sorceress? Merlin tilted her head. That was one word for witch no? The emotions were as clear to her to see as if he were writing them out in bold clear lettering. “Who is this sorceress? Or is it capitalized much like ‘Mage’ is?” She wondered. After all she was given that label, since she held magic in her being. She takes out a notebook and began writing in it, an automatic gesture whenever in a new realm or area. It wouldn’t do to lose any more memories than whatever she had lost with those earlier shows of power. At least she still had her name clear in her mind. She would need to do a lot more magic to lose her identity.

"Sh-She watches over Castle Grayskull. Her magic derives from "The Power." It's the greatest source of Magic in the universe."

Merlin snorted. “Maybe in this universe.” She said wondering in a one on one battle who would be the strongest between two powerhouses her or this Sorceress, but it was idle curiosity. She didn’t believe in fighting unless and until her life was in danger. “She isn’t so strong that she can travel then. Interesting to note.” She wondered if it was because her ways of travel were Fae gifted. They held absolute power over their influence, and didn’t often give gifts. But she would have to find out a different way. Maybe.

Just then, a bunch of guards entered, joined by their commander.

"Stay where you are! Hands where we can see them!"

Merlin chuckles a derisive sound smiling at them a dangerous aura coming from the Mage. “And who are you to think you can command me?” Sometimes she went with the flow. Other times she was the absolute powerful asshole just to see how far she can push people as boredom was something even she suffered from. Being an advisor to Arthur at one time, she had very little respect for mortals who didn’t earn it.

"Captain of the guard, that's who." said the man in front of her. "I am the Man-At-Arms."

As he said this, someone else walked in.

"W-What's going on? Sh-She's not here to hurt Prince Adam, is she? Wait... I-Is she working for Skeletor?"

“Oh! I’m somewhere that has actual talking animals. Pleasure to meet you.” She says getting on her knees in front of the animal offering her wrist to smell, completely ignoring the captain of the guard. To animals she still had a scent of the wild forest on her. It was permanently a part of her since she had been raised in a forest full of magic. “I don’t work for anyone but myself, and I do not harm those who do not first try to hurt me.” She promised.

"That's a relief. We were worried you were one of Skeletor's goons."

“If someone else refers to me as someone else’s employ I really may lose my temper. I don’t enjoy repeating myself.” She says pleasantly giving the animal a gentle scratch under the chin with a smile. “What a big a strong animal you are. What species are you?” She asks to be polite to the creature.

"Cringer is a crossbreed." said Adam. "Half tiger, half dragon."

“I’m sure Cringer could have answered. But I will take if if they don’t mind.” She remarked with a curious look. “Now how did that occur?” She asked academically curious.

"I'm not really sure," said Cringer. "I was orphaned as a cub."

Merlin smiles sympathetically. “Taken away from your parents. I know that story well.” It was her own after all. Stolen and forgotten by her family, all because she had the power of magic at its purest form.

"Adam was the one who found me," said Cringer. "He and his parents are my family. The only one I've ever known."

“You’re lucky then to be taken in by someone who cares for you.” She says with a small smile. She was often a little envious of those that were raised with affection. She got a very minuscule amount of it herself. “So who is this being who everyone confused with me working for them?” She asks standing on her feet.

Merlin in Eternia (Closed RP)

"Huh? Th-This can't be right. I was trying to summon... Actually, I wasn't trying to summon anything."

@youraveragemage

Merlin didn’t know why she was there but the being in front of her really shouldn’t have said: ‘I was trying to summon’ while in front of her, she looks at the being her temper on a razors edge of being snapped. “It takes a lot of balls, grit, and magic power to ‘summon’ me. I don’t know if I should be angry or impressed. So I’m going to be both. Who and what are you?” She demanded her eyes promising death if she didn’t like the answer.

"AH! M-MY NAME'S ORKO! I'M A TROLLAN! DON'T HURT ME!"

As the little Trollan put up his hands to defend himself, he accidentally blasted Merlin and sent her flying out the window.

"Oops... SORRY!"

Merlin used her magic to grow wings catching a draft and steadying on it looking down at the buffoon. Electricity formed a bow and arrow on her hands, as she aimed the magic attack at the idiot. “The impressed part died. I don’t enjoy being made a fool of. A trollan?” She asked buzzing being heard as she stared down at the idiot. She sighed and shot the attack out the window flipping to do so gracefully. CCCCRRAAACK…….BBBBBOOOOOOM! went the thunder flashing menacingly across the sky, making it rain. “You’re lucky I don’t kill buffoons when I’m caught off guard twice. Fool me twice and all that.” She remarked letting go of the spell to land on the floor with a flourish. “Although I wouldn’t suggest trying my mercy.” She stated dusting her clothes. “So. What were you trying to do with your magic that it went so pear shaped?” She asked idly curious.

"I-I was trying to contact the Sorceress," the little magician admitted. "But I guess I got my spells mixed up... Again..."

The look in the small creature's eyes had emotions as clear as spring water. This was not the first time the little guy had messed up, and it was probably wouldn't be the last. Guilt and shame radiated off the Trollan like light from a lantern.

Sorceress? Merlin tilted her head. That was one word for witch no? The emotions were as clear to her to see as if he were writing them out in bold clear lettering. “Who is this sorceress? Or is it capitalized much like ‘Mage’ is?” She wondered. After all she was given that label, since she held magic in her being. She takes out a notebook and began writing in it, an automatic gesture whenever in a new realm or area. It wouldn’t do to lose any more memories than whatever she had lost with those earlier shows of power. At least she still had her name clear in her mind. She would need to do a lot more magic to lose her identity.

"Sh-She watches over Castle Grayskull. Her magic derives from "The Power." It's the greatest source of Magic in the universe."

Merlin snorted. “Maybe in this universe.” She said wondering in a one on one battle who would be the strongest between two powerhouses her or this Sorceress, but it was idle curiosity. She didn’t believe in fighting unless and until her life was in danger. “She isn’t so strong that she can travel then. Interesting to note.” She wondered if it was because her ways of travel were Fae gifted. They held absolute power over their influence, and didn’t often give gifts. But she would have to find out a different way. Maybe.

Just then, a bunch of guards entered, joined by their commander.

"Stay where you are! Hands where we can see them!"

Merlin chuckles a derisive sound smiling at them a dangerous aura coming from the Mage. “And who are you to think you can command me?” Sometimes she went with the flow. Other times she was the absolute powerful asshole just to see how far she can push people as boredom was something even she suffered from. Being an advisor to Arthur at one time, she had very little respect for mortals who didn’t earn it.

"Captain of the guard, that's who." said the man in front of her. "I am the Man-At-Arms."

As he said this, someone else walked in.

"W-What's going on? Sh-She's not here to hurt Prince Adam, is she? Wait... I-Is she working for Skeletor?"

“Oh! I’m somewhere that has actual talking animals. Pleasure to meet you.” She says getting on her knees in front of the animal offering her wrist to smell, completely ignoring the captain of the guard. To animals she still had a scent of the wild forest on her. It was permanently a part of her since she had been raised in a forest full of magic. “I don’t work for anyone but myself, and I do not harm those who do not first try to hurt me.” She promised.

"That's a relief. We were worried you were one of Skeletor's goons."

“If someone else refers to me as someone else’s employ I really may lose my temper. I don’t enjoy repeating myself.” She says pleasantly giving the animal a gentle scratch under the chin with a smile. “What a big a strong animal you are. What species are you?” She asks to be polite to the creature.

"Cringer is a crossbreed." said Adam. "Half tiger, half dragon."

“I’m sure Cringer could have answered. But I will take if if they don’t mind.” She remarked with a curious look. “Now how did that occur?” She asked academically curious.

"I'm not really sure," said Cringer. "I was orphaned as a cub."

Merlin smiles sympathetically. “Taken away from your parents. I know that story well.” It was her own after all. Stolen and forgotten by her family, all because she had the power of magic at its purest form.

@youraveragemage

"I don't remember ever meeting you, but something about you seems familiar."

"I can't say exactly where, but I know they usually come this way."

"Hmm, I have sought Merlin for some time now. Been meaning to speak with the old mage."

“If you don’t mind my prying: about what per say?” Merlin asks curiously. She did often travel realms and worlds, even her own when boredom strikes her to do so. And to hear Vlad Dracula say he had been meaning to speak with Merlin? Did he mean her or another version who was actually male?

"Well, since I'm being honest, I'm on a bit of a crusade," said Dracula. "Attempting to make life easier for vampires, werewolves, and the like as well as those who call themselves our allies. To do that, I've been making myself more powerful to get people's attention. One of the easiest ways to do that is to feed, magic users and other mythical creatures, well, they have something a little extra. This is why I wanted to talk to Merlin and politely ask for a generous donation to the cause. One pint, maybe even just half."

Merlin tilts her head listening for any hint of a lie. A consummate charmer, he could no doubt convince anyone else. Had she been ‘normal’ whatever that may be, she may have also been charmed. “And what do you mean by easier? Blood of a Mage can’t be good. There may be other things laced in the blood that could ignite a person.” Her blood had done such a thing, making someone explode. But they hadn’t exactly asked for it like he was planing to. “For example and this is just theory: what could have possibly been done to make the Mage exist for so long other than being given something that lives for a long time. Like a dragon or something weird like that.” And she could turn into a dragon. She was doing her best to warn him of the danger of her blood. And if he still wished to try she may be convinced to let him have a small amount.

"Dear Natalie, I am 7022 years old. By now, I've had the blood of mages, dragons, fairies, nymphs, pixies, griffons, werewolves, and everything in between. If I needed to exercise caution, I would."

Merlin chuckles. “Wanna be mages no doubt.” She couldn’t help but say and could have bitten her own tongue at that. They weren’t the definitive nor the first. She was, or at least in her own universe she was. “So how would you use the Mage’s blood? It could probably make you about as hyper as a kid with too much sugar.” She remarked curiously.

“First of all, careful. That “wannabe mages” comment came off as arrogant and pompous. Second, the same thing I do with all blood. I’ll drink it and draw from its power. But I assure you, it’s for a good cause.”

Merlin shrugs not about to apologize for thinking other mages were less than her. Unfortunately a lot of her teachers feelings about mortals and how insignificant they were in comparison sometimes came out, despite the fact she wasn’t that beyond a insignificant human it was only the fact she was born with pure magic that doomed and saved her. “You’re right in saying that.” She agreed though. “Good is relative though. Good for you and werewolves I hear. What about ordinary humans?” She asks.

"Those who accept us have nothing to worry about. It's our enemies who will have to worry. That's how it's always worked."

“Too true.” She agreed with a shake of her head. There had been many who had tried to find the Forest in order to exploit the freshness and the magic. The Fae had turned those mortals clinically and literally insane. She was pretty much convinced it was her natural wariness to give something without a promise of some sort from those she didn’t know well or those she didn’t trust.

Dracula snapped his fingers and conjured up a scroll.

“It’s all right here in this contract. And it’ll certainly be less messy than having to drain Merlin the way I did to Morgan.”

“If you tried to drain Merlin no doubt you’d be set on fire. Inside and out. To prevent the death of such a mage.” She remarked offering her hand. “May I?” She asks. Fae being the masters of loopholes she would be able to spot any and all in it, and hopefully there weren’t many.

The contract was air-tight. There were no tricks, no loopholes. The terms were simple; A pint of Merlin's blood in exchange for guaranteed safety and exclusion from any involvement in Dracula's messier affairs. Dracula, meanwhile, caught what "Natalie" had said.

"You seem to know an awful lot about how Merlin's magic works... You know, it's not uncommon for a mage to change their shape to stay hidden."

Merlin smiles at him. “What and you think The Mage wouldn’t have some kind of defense to prevent his dying doing something potentially silly do you?” She asks amused. “As a Mage he should have any and all defenses for any situation don’t you think?”

@youraveragemage

"I don't remember ever meeting you, but something about you seems familiar."

"I can't say exactly where, but I know they usually come this way."

"Hmm, I have sought Merlin for some time now. Been meaning to speak with the old mage."

“If you don’t mind my prying: about what per say?” Merlin asks curiously. She did often travel realms and worlds, even her own when boredom strikes her to do so. And to hear Vlad Dracula say he had been meaning to speak with Merlin? Did he mean her or another version who was actually male?

"Well, since I'm being honest, I'm on a bit of a crusade," said Dracula. "Attempting to make life easier for vampires, werewolves, and the like as well as those who call themselves our allies. To do that, I've been making myself more powerful to get people's attention. One of the easiest ways to do that is to feed, magic users and other mythical creatures, well, they have something a little extra. This is why I wanted to talk to Merlin and politely ask for a generous donation to the cause. One pint, maybe even just half."

Merlin tilts her head listening for any hint of a lie. A consummate charmer, he could no doubt convince anyone else. Had she been ‘normal’ whatever that may be, she may have also been charmed. “And what do you mean by easier? Blood of a Mage can’t be good. There may be other things laced in the blood that could ignite a person.” Her blood had done such a thing, making someone explode. But they hadn’t exactly asked for it like he was planing to. “For example and this is just theory: what could have possibly been done to make the Mage exist for so long other than being given something that lives for a long time. Like a dragon or something weird like that.” And she could turn into a dragon. She was doing her best to warn him of the danger of her blood. And if he still wished to try she may be convinced to let him have a small amount.

"Dear Natalie, I am 7022 years old. By now, I've had the blood of mages, dragons, fairies, nymphs, pixies, griffons, werewolves, and everything in between. If I needed to exercise caution, I would."

Merlin chuckles. “Wanna be mages no doubt.” She couldn’t help but say and could have bitten her own tongue at that. They weren’t the definitive nor the first. She was, or at least in her own universe she was. “So how would you use the Mage’s blood? It could probably make you about as hyper as a kid with too much sugar.” She remarked curiously.

“First of all, careful. That “wannabe mages” comment came off as arrogant and pompous. Second, the same thing I do with all blood. I’ll drink it and draw from its power. But I assure you, it’s for a good cause.”

Merlin shrugs not about to apologize for thinking other mages were less than her. Unfortunately a lot of her teachers feelings about mortals and how insignificant they were in comparison sometimes came out, despite the fact she wasn’t that beyond a insignificant human it was only the fact she was born with pure magic that doomed and saved her. “You’re right in saying that.” She agreed though. “Good is relative though. Good for you and werewolves I hear. What about ordinary humans?” She asks.

"Those who accept us have nothing to worry about. It's our enemies who will have to worry. That's how it's always worked."

“Too true.” She agreed with a shake of her head. There had been many who had tried to find the Forest in order to exploit the freshness and the magic. The Fae had turned those mortals clinically and literally insane. She was pretty much convinced it was her natural wariness to give something without a promise of some sort from those she didn’t know well or those she didn’t trust.

Dracula snapped his fingers and conjured up a scroll.

“It’s all right here in this contract. And it’ll certainly be less messy than having to drain Merlin the way I did to Morgan.”

“If you tried to drain Merlin no doubt you’d be set on fire. Inside and out. To prevent the death of such a mage.” She remarked offering her hand. “May I?” She asks. Fae being the masters of loopholes she would be able to spot any and all in it, and hopefully there weren’t many.

@youraveragemage

"I don't remember ever meeting you, but something about you seems familiar."

"I can't say exactly where, but I know they usually come this way."

"Hmm, I have sought Merlin for some time now. Been meaning to speak with the old mage."

“If you don’t mind my prying: about what per say?” Merlin asks curiously. She did often travel realms and worlds, even her own when boredom strikes her to do so. And to hear Vlad Dracula say he had been meaning to speak with Merlin? Did he mean her or another version who was actually male?

"Well, since I'm being honest, I'm on a bit of a crusade," said Dracula. "Attempting to make life easier for vampires, werewolves, and the like as well as those who call themselves our allies. To do that, I've been making myself more powerful to get people's attention. One of the easiest ways to do that is to feed, magic users and other mythical creatures, well, they have something a little extra. This is why I wanted to talk to Merlin and politely ask for a generous donation to the cause. One pint, maybe even just half."

Merlin tilts her head listening for any hint of a lie. A consummate charmer, he could no doubt convince anyone else. Had she been ‘normal’ whatever that may be, she may have also been charmed. “And what do you mean by easier? Blood of a Mage can’t be good. There may be other things laced in the blood that could ignite a person.” Her blood had done such a thing, making someone explode. But they hadn’t exactly asked for it like he was planing to. “For example and this is just theory: what could have possibly been done to make the Mage exist for so long other than being given something that lives for a long time. Like a dragon or something weird like that.” And she could turn into a dragon. She was doing her best to warn him of the danger of her blood. And if he still wished to try she may be convinced to let him have a small amount.

"Dear Natalie, I am 7022 years old. By now, I've had the blood of mages, dragons, fairies, nymphs, pixies, griffons, werewolves, and everything in between. If I needed to exercise caution, I would."

Merlin chuckles. “Wanna be mages no doubt.” She couldn’t help but say and could have bitten her own tongue at that. They weren’t the definitive nor the first. She was, or at least in her own universe she was. “So how would you use the Mage’s blood? It could probably make you about as hyper as a kid with too much sugar.” She remarked curiously.

“First of all, careful. That “wannabe mages” comment came off as arrogant and pompous. Second, the same thing I do with all blood. I’ll drink it and draw from its power. But I assure you, it’s for a good cause.”

Merlin shrugs not about to apologize for thinking other mages were less than her. Unfortunately a lot of her teachers feelings about mortals and how insignificant they were in comparison sometimes came out, despite the fact she wasn’t that beyond a insignificant human it was only the fact she was born with pure magic that doomed and saved her. “You’re right in saying that.” She agreed though. “Good is relative though. Good for you and werewolves I hear. What about ordinary humans?” She asks.

"Those who accept us have nothing to worry about. It's our enemies who will have to worry. That's how it's always worked."

“Too true.” She agreed with a shake of her head. There had been many who had tried to find the Forest in order to exploit the freshness and the magic. The Fae had turned those mortals clinically and literally insane. She was pretty much convinced it was her natural wariness to give something without a promise of some sort from those she didn’t know well or those she didn’t trust.

Merlin in Eternia (Closed RP)

"Huh? Th-This can't be right. I was trying to summon... Actually, I wasn't trying to summon anything."

@youraveragemage

Merlin didn’t know why she was there but the being in front of her really shouldn’t have said: ‘I was trying to summon’ while in front of her, she looks at the being her temper on a razors edge of being snapped. “It takes a lot of balls, grit, and magic power to ‘summon’ me. I don’t know if I should be angry or impressed. So I’m going to be both. Who and what are you?” She demanded her eyes promising death if she didn’t like the answer.

"AH! M-MY NAME'S ORKO! I'M A TROLLAN! DON'T HURT ME!"

As the little Trollan put up his hands to defend himself, he accidentally blasted Merlin and sent her flying out the window.

"Oops... SORRY!"

Merlin used her magic to grow wings catching a draft and steadying on it looking down at the buffoon. Electricity formed a bow and arrow on her hands, as she aimed the magic attack at the idiot. “The impressed part died. I don’t enjoy being made a fool of. A trollan?” She asked buzzing being heard as she stared down at the idiot. She sighed and shot the attack out the window flipping to do so gracefully. CCCCRRAAACK…….BBBBBOOOOOOM! went the thunder flashing menacingly across the sky, making it rain. “You’re lucky I don’t kill buffoons when I’m caught off guard twice. Fool me twice and all that.” She remarked letting go of the spell to land on the floor with a flourish. “Although I wouldn’t suggest trying my mercy.” She stated dusting her clothes. “So. What were you trying to do with your magic that it went so pear shaped?” She asked idly curious.

"I-I was trying to contact the Sorceress," the little magician admitted. "But I guess I got my spells mixed up... Again..."

The look in the small creature's eyes had emotions as clear as spring water. This was not the first time the little guy had messed up, and it was probably wouldn't be the last. Guilt and shame radiated off the Trollan like light from a lantern.

Sorceress? Merlin tilted her head. That was one word for witch no? The emotions were as clear to her to see as if he were writing them out in bold clear lettering. “Who is this sorceress? Or is it capitalized much like ‘Mage’ is?” She wondered. After all she was given that label, since she held magic in her being. She takes out a notebook and began writing in it, an automatic gesture whenever in a new realm or area. It wouldn’t do to lose any more memories than whatever she had lost with those earlier shows of power. At least she still had her name clear in her mind. She would need to do a lot more magic to lose her identity.

"Sh-She watches over Castle Grayskull. Her magic derives from "The Power." It's the greatest source of Magic in the universe."

Merlin snorted. “Maybe in this universe.” She said wondering in a one on one battle who would be the strongest between two powerhouses her or this Sorceress, but it was idle curiosity. She didn’t believe in fighting unless and until her life was in danger. “She isn’t so strong that she can travel then. Interesting to note.” She wondered if it was because her ways of travel were Fae gifted. They held absolute power over their influence, and didn’t often give gifts. But she would have to find out a different way. Maybe.

Just then, a bunch of guards entered, joined by their commander.

"Stay where you are! Hands where we can see them!"

Merlin chuckles a derisive sound smiling at them a dangerous aura coming from the Mage. “And who are you to think you can command me?” Sometimes she went with the flow. Other times she was the absolute powerful asshole just to see how far she can push people as boredom was something even she suffered from. Being an advisor to Arthur at one time, she had very little respect for mortals who didn’t earn it.

"Captain of the guard, that's who." said the man in front of her. "I am the Man-At-Arms."

As he said this, someone else walked in.

"W-What's going on? Sh-She's not here to hurt Prince Adam, is she? Wait... I-Is she working for Skeletor?"

“Oh! I’m somewhere that has actual talking animals. Pleasure to meet you.” She says getting on her knees in front of the animal offering her wrist to smell, completely ignoring the captain of the guard. To animals she still had a scent of the wild forest on her. It was permanently a part of her since she had been raised in a forest full of magic. “I don’t work for anyone but myself, and I do not harm those who do not first try to hurt me.” She promised.

"That's a relief. We were worried you were one of Skeletor's goons."

“If someone else refers to me as someone else’s employ I really may lose my temper. I don’t enjoy repeating myself.” She says pleasantly giving the animal a gentle scratch under the chin with a smile. “What a big a strong animal you are. What species are you?” She asks to be polite to the creature.

"Cringer is a crossbreed." said Adam. "Half tiger, half dragon."

“I’m sure Cringer could have answered. But I will take if if they don’t mind.” She remarked with a curious look. “Now how did that occur?” She asked academically curious.

@youraveragemage

"I don't remember ever meeting you, but something about you seems familiar."

"I can't say exactly where, but I know they usually come this way."

"Hmm, I have sought Merlin for some time now. Been meaning to speak with the old mage."

“If you don’t mind my prying: about what per say?” Merlin asks curiously. She did often travel realms and worlds, even her own when boredom strikes her to do so. And to hear Vlad Dracula say he had been meaning to speak with Merlin? Did he mean her or another version who was actually male?

"Well, since I'm being honest, I'm on a bit of a crusade," said Dracula. "Attempting to make life easier for vampires, werewolves, and the like as well as those who call themselves our allies. To do that, I've been making myself more powerful to get people's attention. One of the easiest ways to do that is to feed, magic users and other mythical creatures, well, they have something a little extra. This is why I wanted to talk to Merlin and politely ask for a generous donation to the cause. One pint, maybe even just half."

Merlin tilts her head listening for any hint of a lie. A consummate charmer, he could no doubt convince anyone else. Had she been ‘normal’ whatever that may be, she may have also been charmed. “And what do you mean by easier? Blood of a Mage can’t be good. There may be other things laced in the blood that could ignite a person.” Her blood had done such a thing, making someone explode. But they hadn’t exactly asked for it like he was planing to. “For example and this is just theory: what could have possibly been done to make the Mage exist for so long other than being given something that lives for a long time. Like a dragon or something weird like that.” And she could turn into a dragon. She was doing her best to warn him of the danger of her blood. And if he still wished to try she may be convinced to let him have a small amount.

"Dear Natalie, I am 7022 years old. By now, I've had the blood of mages, dragons, fairies, nymphs, pixies, griffons, werewolves, and everything in between. If I needed to exercise caution, I would."

Merlin chuckles. “Wanna be mages no doubt.” She couldn’t help but say and could have bitten her own tongue at that. They weren’t the definitive nor the first. She was, or at least in her own universe she was. “So how would you use the Mage’s blood? It could probably make you about as hyper as a kid with too much sugar.” She remarked curiously.

“First of all, careful. That “wannabe mages” comment came off as arrogant and pompous. Second, the same thing I do with all blood. I’ll drink it and draw from its power. But I assure you, it’s for a good cause.”

Merlin shrugs not about to apologize for thinking other mages were less than her. Unfortunately a lot of her teachers feelings about mortals and how insignificant they were in comparison sometimes came out, despite the fact she wasn’t that beyond a insignificant human it was only the fact she was born with pure magic that doomed and saved her. “You’re right in saying that.” She agreed though. “Good is relative though. Good for you and werewolves I hear. What about ordinary humans?” She asks.

@youraveragemage

"I don't remember ever meeting you, but something about you seems familiar."

"I can't say exactly where, but I know they usually come this way."

"Hmm, I have sought Merlin for some time now. Been meaning to speak with the old mage."

“If you don’t mind my prying: about what per say?” Merlin asks curiously. She did often travel realms and worlds, even her own when boredom strikes her to do so. And to hear Vlad Dracula say he had been meaning to speak with Merlin? Did he mean her or another version who was actually male?

"Well, since I'm being honest, I'm on a bit of a crusade," said Dracula. "Attempting to make life easier for vampires, werewolves, and the like as well as those who call themselves our allies. To do that, I've been making myself more powerful to get people's attention. One of the easiest ways to do that is to feed, magic users and other mythical creatures, well, they have something a little extra. This is why I wanted to talk to Merlin and politely ask for a generous donation to the cause. One pint, maybe even just half."

Merlin tilts her head listening for any hint of a lie. A consummate charmer, he could no doubt convince anyone else. Had she been ‘normal’ whatever that may be, she may have also been charmed. “And what do you mean by easier? Blood of a Mage can’t be good. There may be other things laced in the blood that could ignite a person.” Her blood had done such a thing, making someone explode. But they hadn’t exactly asked for it like he was planing to. “For example and this is just theory: what could have possibly been done to make the Mage exist for so long other than being given something that lives for a long time. Like a dragon or something weird like that.” And she could turn into a dragon. She was doing her best to warn him of the danger of her blood. And if he still wished to try she may be convinced to let him have a small amount.

"Dear Natalie, I am 7022 years old. By now, I've had the blood of mages, dragons, fairies, nymphs, pixies, griffons, werewolves, and everything in between. If I needed to exercise caution, I would."

Merlin chuckles. “Wanna be mages no doubt.” She couldn’t help but say and could have bitten her own tongue at that. They weren’t the definitive nor the first. She was, or at least in her own universe she was. “So how would you use the Mage’s blood? It could probably make you about as hyper as a kid with too much sugar.” She remarked curiously.

@youraveragemage

"I don't remember ever meeting you, but something about you seems familiar."

"I can't say exactly where, but I know they usually come this way."

"Hmm, I have sought Merlin for some time now. Been meaning to speak with the old mage."

“If you don’t mind my prying: about what per say?” Merlin asks curiously. She did often travel realms and worlds, even her own when boredom strikes her to do so. And to hear Vlad Dracula say he had been meaning to speak with Merlin? Did he mean her or another version who was actually male?

"Well, since I'm being honest, I'm on a bit of a crusade," said Dracula. "Attempting to make life easier for vampires, werewolves, and the like as well as those who call themselves our allies. To do that, I've been making myself more powerful to get people's attention. One of the easiest ways to do that is to feed, magic users and other mythical creatures, well, they have something a little extra. This is why I wanted to talk to Merlin and politely ask for a generous donation to the cause. One pint, maybe even just half."

Merlin tilts her head listening for any hint of a lie. A consummate charmer, he could no doubt convince anyone else. Had she been ‘normal’ whatever that may be, she may have also been charmed. “And what do you mean by easier? Blood of a Mage can’t be good. There may be other things laced in the blood that could ignite a person.” Her blood had done such a thing, making someone explode. But they hadn’t exactly asked for it like he was planing to. “For example and this is just theory: what could have possibly been done to make the Mage exist for so long other than being given something that lives for a long time. Like a dragon or something weird like that.” And she could turn into a dragon. She was doing her best to warn him of the danger of her blood. And if he still wished to try she may be convinced to let him have a small amount.

@youraveragemage

"I don't remember ever meeting you, but something about you seems familiar."

"I can't say exactly where, but I know they usually come this way."

"Hmm, I have sought Merlin for some time now. Been meaning to speak with the old mage."

“If you don’t mind my prying: about what per say?” Merlin asks curiously. She did often travel realms and worlds, even her own when boredom strikes her to do so. And to hear Vlad Dracula say he had been meaning to speak with Merlin? Did he mean her or another version who was actually male?

@youraveragemage

"I don't remember ever meeting you, but something about you seems familiar."

Merlin takes a look at the accented man who just spoke and manners from centuries come back in mind and she does a spectacular curtesy even in modern day clothes. It isn’t often old time manners pop into the Mage’s mind. Only the very old sparked that in her. And mortals were short lived. It was those nearly immortal that were a different story. “While I don’t remember meeting you either your manner does spark something in memory.” She says takin in what she could see and sense from the male in front of her.

The gentleman in front of her was 6' 4", and had an aged face. As he spoke, he began circling her like a vulture.

"Yes. There's something about the air around you... King Arthur's Court, perhaps?"

Merlin giggles airily. “Please no one lives that long.” She stated a tactic many immortals use. She may be 5’6 but she made sure to keep him as much as she can in her view. She may not look it, but she was ready for flight if this situation went pear shaped as her sixth sense was warning her it may. She was as much a wild creature as a civilized person. Living many years in a wild forest did that to a person.

"You'd be surprised."

The man then gave a smart little smirk.

"In fact, I was there when Arthur was a boy."

Merlin does a convincing gasp of wonder. “Were you indeed?” She asks sounding like any stereotypical person of the age. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?” Besides from the fact that there was no smell of duplicity of course. Lies had an air and a scent to them.

"Oh, but where are my manners, I've yet to tell you my name. I am Dracula. Count Dracula."

“Woah! No way. Like Vlad the Impaler?! Oh. Right. I should give you my name too, not that I believe you for half a second. Natalie Ambrosious.” She often changed her Alias’ throughout the centuries. But she kept the last name mortals believed to have belonged to her at one point. Let’s see if he recalled that.

"I think I remember that name. And yes, "Lord Impaler" was one of the names I've taken over the centuries, though these days, I daresay, that I'm a bit more infamous for other reasons."

“How can you remember something you just heard of?” She teases with a smile. “Ah the whole being dead thing. Sure why not.” It was a thing for people not to question or worry about such trivial things in this era. She called it: ‘the mental funk’ era.

Dracula suddenly appeared behind her.

"There's something about you that smells familiar. Something... Magical. Does the name "Merlin" ring a bell?"

“Sure who hasn’t at least seen The Sword in the Stone by now? And who hasn’t heard of the legend of Arthur and the most powerful Mage?” She asks turning around to keep him in front of her. “Why, you can’t be saying I’m this person? First of all Merlin’s a male. And old.” Nothing a gender change and age spell can’t fix. And she could do both if she wanted to.

Dracula smirked. "My dear Natalie. Who said anything about you being Merlin? What I said could have easily implied that you knew Merlin, learned from, studied, or simply heard of him. The only one who implied that you were the same person was you."

He started circling.

"And furthermore, you might not know it, but magic has a smell, and the magic I smell on you is old and very strong."

“Well when someone says have you heard of such and such a person usually they mean you remind them of that person.” She points out logically. “And does it? I never noticed.” Then again she was used to the smell of magic in the Fae forest. It may be permanently on her since she lived there for so long.

"Come now, Natalie," he said as he looked intensely into her eyes. "I'm being honest with you. Why don't you be honest with me?"

“Natalie is my name.” Or one of many she had chosen throughout the centuries. True names gave power. Both to the speaker and the listener. She smiles guilelessly. He was doing his best to charm the truth out of her. Being around ‘the Fair Folk’ tended to give one a skewed “attractive” tastes. She wasn’t lying, yet wasn’t telling the whole truth either. It was another tactic one learned from living with a race whose first language one can literally not lie in.

"Well, since that's all there is to know about you, Natalie, why don't we walk together?"

Just then, a fairy appeared, only for Dracula to snatch it.

"Right after I have a little snack."

“I wouldn’t be averse to walking.” She says raising an eyebrow seeing the fairy. It wasn’t too often one sees one in the mortal realm. Why had it drifted? “I don’t think something that small qualifies as a snack. And is that a real fairy? Why is it here?” She asks the last part earnestly curious.

"Who's to say, but it's the start of the evening, and vampires must eat too."

"Wait!" said the fairy. "You don't want to eat me, oh Dark One. I... I can tell you now that a mage travels through here. Much bigger, much more of a meal."

Dracula's mouth watered. "I'm listening."

Merlin raises an eyebrow looking at the fairy with a: ‘beware for your next words will threaten the lives here’ look. “Of course. And biting me would be rude.” She agreed. She had been raised where politeness was a game.

@youraveragemage

"I don't remember ever meeting you, but something about you seems familiar."

Merlin takes a look at the accented man who just spoke and manners from centuries come back in mind and she does a spectacular curtesy even in modern day clothes. It isn’t often old time manners pop into the Mage’s mind. Only the very old sparked that in her. And mortals were short lived. It was those nearly immortal that were a different story. “While I don’t remember meeting you either your manner does spark something in memory.” She says takin in what she could see and sense from the male in front of her.

The gentleman in front of her was 6' 4", and had an aged face. As he spoke, he began circling her like a vulture.

"Yes. There's something about the air around you... King Arthur's Court, perhaps?"

Merlin giggles airily. “Please no one lives that long.” She stated a tactic many immortals use. She may be 5’6 but she made sure to keep him as much as she can in her view. She may not look it, but she was ready for flight if this situation went pear shaped as her sixth sense was warning her it may. She was as much a wild creature as a civilized person. Living many years in a wild forest did that to a person.

"You'd be surprised."

The man then gave a smart little smirk.

"In fact, I was there when Arthur was a boy."

Merlin does a convincing gasp of wonder. “Were you indeed?” She asks sounding like any stereotypical person of the age. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?” Besides from the fact that there was no smell of duplicity of course. Lies had an air and a scent to them.

"Oh, but where are my manners, I've yet to tell you my name. I am Dracula. Count Dracula."

“Woah! No way. Like Vlad the Impaler?! Oh. Right. I should give you my name too, not that I believe you for half a second. Natalie Ambrosious.” She often changed her Alias’ throughout the centuries. But she kept the last name mortals believed to have belonged to her at one point. Let’s see if he recalled that.

"I think I remember that name. And yes, "Lord Impaler" was one of the names I've taken over the centuries, though these days, I daresay, that I'm a bit more infamous for other reasons."

“How can you remember something you just heard of?” She teases with a smile. “Ah the whole being dead thing. Sure why not.” It was a thing for people not to question or worry about such trivial things in this era. She called it: ‘the mental funk’ era.

Dracula suddenly appeared behind her.

"There's something about you that smells familiar. Something... Magical. Does the name "Merlin" ring a bell?"

“Sure who hasn’t at least seen The Sword in the Stone by now? And who hasn’t heard of the legend of Arthur and the most powerful Mage?” She asks turning around to keep him in front of her. “Why, you can’t be saying I’m this person? First of all Merlin’s a male. And old.” Nothing a gender change and age spell can’t fix. And she could do both if she wanted to.

Dracula smirked. "My dear Natalie. Who said anything about you being Merlin? What I said could have easily implied that you knew Merlin, learned from, studied, or simply heard of him. The only one who implied that you were the same person was you."

He started circling.

"And furthermore, you might not know it, but magic has a smell, and the magic I smell on you is old and very strong."

“Well when someone says have you heard of such and such a person usually they mean you remind them of that person.” She points out logically. “And does it? I never noticed.” Then again she was used to the smell of magic in the Fae forest. It may be permanently on her since she lived there for so long.

"Come now, Natalie," he said as he looked intensely into her eyes. "I'm being honest with you. Why don't you be honest with me?"

“Natalie is my name.” Or one of many she had chosen throughout the centuries. True names gave power. Both to the speaker and the listener. She smiles guilelessly. He was doing his best to charm the truth out of her. Being around ‘the Fair Folk’ tended to give one a skewed “attractive” tastes. She wasn’t lying, yet wasn’t telling the whole truth either. It was another tactic one learned from living with a race whose first language one can literally not lie in.

"Well, since that's all there is to know about you, Natalie, why don't we walk together?"

Just then, a fairy appeared, only for Dracula to snatch it.

"Right after I have a little snack."

“I wouldn’t be averse to walking.” She says raising an eyebrow seeing the fairy. It wasn’t too often one sees one in the mortal realm. Why had it drifted? “I don’t think something that small qualifies as a snack. And is that a real fairy? Why is it here?” She asks the last part earnestly curious.

@youraveragemage

"I don't remember ever meeting you, but something about you seems familiar."

Merlin takes a look at the accented man who just spoke and manners from centuries come back in mind and she does a spectacular curtesy even in modern day clothes. It isn’t often old time manners pop into the Mage’s mind. Only the very old sparked that in her. And mortals were short lived. It was those nearly immortal that were a different story. “While I don’t remember meeting you either your manner does spark something in memory.” She says takin in what she could see and sense from the male in front of her.

The gentleman in front of her was 6' 4", and had an aged face. As he spoke, he began circling her like a vulture.

"Yes. There's something about the air around you... King Arthur's Court, perhaps?"

Merlin giggles airily. “Please no one lives that long.” She stated a tactic many immortals use. She may be 5’6 but she made sure to keep him as much as she can in her view. She may not look it, but she was ready for flight if this situation went pear shaped as her sixth sense was warning her it may. She was as much a wild creature as a civilized person. Living many years in a wild forest did that to a person.

"You'd be surprised."

The man then gave a smart little smirk.

"In fact, I was there when Arthur was a boy."

Merlin does a convincing gasp of wonder. “Were you indeed?” She asks sounding like any stereotypical person of the age. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?” Besides from the fact that there was no smell of duplicity of course. Lies had an air and a scent to them.

"Oh, but where are my manners, I've yet to tell you my name. I am Dracula. Count Dracula."

“Woah! No way. Like Vlad the Impaler?! Oh. Right. I should give you my name too, not that I believe you for half a second. Natalie Ambrosious.” She often changed her Alias’ throughout the centuries. But she kept the last name mortals believed to have belonged to her at one point. Let’s see if he recalled that.

"I think I remember that name. And yes, "Lord Impaler" was one of the names I've taken over the centuries, though these days, I daresay, that I'm a bit more infamous for other reasons."

“How can you remember something you just heard of?” She teases with a smile. “Ah the whole being dead thing. Sure why not.” It was a thing for people not to question or worry about such trivial things in this era. She called it: ‘the mental funk’ era.

Dracula suddenly appeared behind her.

"There's something about you that smells familiar. Something... Magical. Does the name "Merlin" ring a bell?"

“Sure who hasn’t at least seen The Sword in the Stone by now? And who hasn’t heard of the legend of Arthur and the most powerful Mage?” She asks turning around to keep him in front of her. “Why, you can’t be saying I’m this person? First of all Merlin’s a male. And old.” Nothing a gender change and age spell can’t fix. And she could do both if she wanted to.

Dracula smirked. "My dear Natalie. Who said anything about you being Merlin? What I said could have easily implied that you knew Merlin, learned from, studied, or simply heard of him. The only one who implied that you were the same person was you."

He started circling.

"And furthermore, you might not know it, but magic has a smell, and the magic I smell on you is old and very strong."

“Well when someone says have you heard of such and such a person usually they mean you remind them of that person.” She points out logically. “And does it? I never noticed.” Then again she was used to the smell of magic in the Fae forest. It may be permanently on her since she lived there for so long.

"Come now, Natalie," he said as he looked intensely into her eyes. "I'm being honest with you. Why don't you be honest with me?"

“Natalie is my name.” Or one of many she had chosen throughout the centuries. True names gave power. Both to the speaker and the listener. She smiles guilelessly. He was doing his best to charm the truth out of her. Being around ‘the Fair Folk’ tended to give one a skewed “attractive” tastes. She wasn’t lying, yet wasn’t telling the whole truth either. It was another tactic one learned from living with a race whose first language one can literally not lie in.