[ for a moment or two, merlin looks faintly surprised-- but then he seems to relax, expression softening faintly. the name is only a little familiar, from dreams of the future, and the face is unfamiliar, but the fact that he's one of the lady's is enough for merlin.

he waves the offer away with one slender, ink-stained hand. ] The offer is mutual. I know your name and your Lady. [ he offers a small, polite nod, then. ] And I expect that you may know mine, at least in some way. You may call me Merlin if you wish. Though-- [ he seems to gather something out of the air with a brush of fingers, leaving a shimmer behind that quickly fades. ] My guess is that I am not quite what you are accustomed to.