Oh, What a Beautiful Morning (open)

[sheriff_vaizey]

Who: Open to Michaelmas partygoers
What: An after-party brunch
Where: Nottingham Castle, Great Hall
When: 30 September, late morning

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[not_a_maid]

Having taken a goblet with a smile Marian took a small sip as she glanced around at those who had managed to leave their chambers after last nights festivities. She wasn't sure if she had been spotted by the Sheriff yet and she knew the next best thing would be moving to the top table and adressing him but that would mean speaking with him and she was rarely in the mood for conversations with him, especially when he seemed to be in such a good mood even if that was a very rare occurence. And a rather scary one as well if she was honest. Surely the Sheriff in such a good mood would only result in something she really would not benefit from, even though the Sheriff in a rotten mood usually ended with the same result. Perhaps it was fear of the unknown that made her think this situation was just going to get worse.

Her eyes fell on a man who was walking to her and she instantly ran through her thoughts and memories to see if she knew of him. She didn't really talk to many last night at the masque so clearly it wasn't that. Perhaps he was looking for some polite conversation which she would play along with even if she certainly did not feel in the mood for such a thing. At his greeting Marian gave a smile so she didn't appear too harsh before frowning at his question. She had never heard of such a Lady, but perhaps she has similarities to her? After all, just like the gentleman said, masques were not good for meeting someone for the first time.

"My apologies but no, I am not the Lady Audrey," she said with an apologetic smile. "My name is Lady Marian, I'm sorry I am not who you are looking for. Perhaps I can help?"

It would give her something to focus on whilst she was here, to keep her mind off the situation.

[nico_debeaumont]

The young woman smiled sweetly at him as he approached but her brow soon creased again as he enquired after her identity. Nico found himself wondering if perhaps she had been somewhat upset by a suitor the previous evening. Her behaviour towards him was perfectly pleasant, but it was clear that her genial facade was indeed for the sake of appearance only. Although she was remaining diplomatically silent on the subject of her low mood, her face was far more communicative than were her words.

At her introduction, Nicholas' interest level increased from casual to actively curious. So this was the young woman Gisborne was apparently so enamoured of. She was young, although not so young as he might have expected of a woman this attractive as yet unmarried.

"Perhaps you can," Nico replied with a smile that despite his aching head, was almost entirely genuine. "I am local to this place by birth but a stranger by circumstance. I return from Crusade to assume the Earldom of Warwick, and Nottinghamshire has changed much since I left. Sir Nicholas de Beaumont, at your service." He affected a modest bow, informal but polite. "Your father and mine knew each other well, I am sure, before he retired the post of Sheriff. I trust he is in good health?"

[not_a_maid]

She returned the smile that she was given since it didn't really cost anything to be polite. And until this man gave her reason not to be then polte she would be. At his introduction her head tilted as she thought through the name. It was familiar but she did not know the face. Perhaps she had heard of him in the past during some conversation or other, or maybe she had overheard the name. Either way, it was a name that certainly stood out. And he was at the crusades? Now she was certainly curious as to who this man really was. Does he support King Richard was her main thought.

The question of her father stalled her from asking anything about the crusade just yet. The last person she had complained to about her father being ill treated had been Prince John and she really did not want to find herself in such a situation. Instead, she put on a smile and nodded her head.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, my Lord. And he is doing as well as he can be, given his advancing years. I will mention my meeting you the next time I speak with him."

Okay so it wasn't the truth completely, but he was advancing in age and finding his health being affected because of it. Taking a sip from the small goblet, she glanced up at the Sheriff before her eyes fell on her companion. Perhaps she could get some form of questioning in, find out who else is in Nottingham for the moment and whether or not he was a friend or an enemy.

"You are right, my Lord, Nottingham truly has changed these past few years. Tell me, what were the Crusades like. I hear many stories but have never heard one straight from someone who has experienced them. That is, if you do not mind discussing such a situation."

Perhaps such a simple question could give her a little more insight into the type of man she was talking with.

[nico_debeaumont]

Again the girl smiled with her mouth, but not her eyes. It seemed she was determined to hide her low mood as far as was possible. Nicholas found it interesting how hard she strived to appear genial. He was far more used to expecting women to pour out their sorrows at his feet as soon as enquiry was issued. Clearly despite her relationship with Guy, whatever that actually amounted to, she was not comfortable freely expressing her feelings in present company. The sheriff's company, most likely, from the furtive glances she repeatedly sent in his direction.

Nico could tell his name was familiar to her when a look of uncertain recognition passed across her face as he spoke it, but from it she could not draw conclusion. She spoke only obscurely of her father, but that was unsurprising. Most women would be somewhat intractible on the subject of their father's imprisonment. And yet again, a woman enquired after the war so vaguely. Remembering Audrey's stiff reply to his somewhat edited version of events last night and rather more interested in making good acquaintance of the Lady Marian, Nicholas decided to take a rather more open tack at this query. Perhaps the women of Nottingham were a bloodthirsty, strong-stomached lot. Or perhaps just this one, and maybe a reason why Guy seemed still to pursue her so eagerly after a rather summary rejection. Nico realised then that in speaking to a woman, he could be rather more honest about his true feelings. If she were to make mention of them to others, the word of a woman would count little or naught next to his own. He was in no danger of comeuppance from her. This time, for the sake of his own sanity, he would tell all of it. He leaned towards her slightly, a conspiratorial light in his eyes.

"It was hot. It was dusty. It was like treading Hell itself; all the blood and infection, death and fear. Never a moment could we rest truly easy from the first step we took on that country's soil, such was the nature and number of our enemy. And for three, nearly four years I bore it easily, for the love of fighting for England and for my King, like my father before me. You cannot know the satisfaction of being a part of a body of men, each well-trained and intent on the same outcome. We were many, but we were one; we had a cause, and, by the grace of God, the means to pursue it." Nicholas paused. Perhaps the wine of last night yet affected him. He had intended to be honest, but admittedly not quite so verbose. No matter; the girl had asked and she would indeed hear. The telling of it was oddly cathartic. He had not spoken openly and freely of his own feelings since - could it be so long? - since he and Robin had shared words upon the very subject of which he spoke. "But so many great warriors have fallen, and yet our cause barely advanced. Great battles were won, against almost insurmountable odds, and yet overall our progess was barely perceptible. I began to take count of how many lives were needlessly wasted, which resources had been squandered, and I saw that the answer was almost all of them. Our leaders have the will to fight, but not the strategy, and I fear that unless England has an inexhaustible supply of sons we will run out of men long before the saracens do. Although my greatest desire would be to see Jerusalem once more in rightful hands, I no longer truly expect to see it in such. Steel yourself. All that you can hope for is that your loved ones are returned to you all limbs intact. Do not await a victory party, for none comes."

Belatedly, he realised the full depth of his statement, and the bitterness that had crept into his tone. Somewhat more gently, he enquired after any other connection to the war: "Forgive me. I do not wish to steal all hope from you. Have you any family or similar contributing to the war effort? Or is your interest rather more detatched?" He didn't recall an older Fitzwalter brother, and one younger would surely be too young to have be conscripted yet, but if the girl had a cousin or some such fighting in the sands Nico had little desire to deal with a yet more cantakerous Gisborne and to be pursued for upsetting the man's fiancee.

[not_a_maid]

The moment he leaned closer she felt herself moving towards him a little in case he really didn't want anyone but her hearing whatever is was he had to say. She was genuinely curious of course, she wanted to know what so many men were facing out there. But of course she had personal interest. Robin never talked about his time in the Crusades and although this man may not be able to tell her what Robin specifically experienced it would be a close enough tale. Probably too close.

His first two statements were pretty obvious, she had guessed as much from the little she had heard or been told. But the futher the tale, the more disturbing it became. She never let her eyes leave him as he spoke because she was so desperate to know more about this terrible occurence that she wanted him to realise that she really was interested. Some people didn't want to discuss such situations with him she imagined since it was not the happiest of subjects to talk about. She smiled when he spoke of what he went through just because of his love for England and the King. So perhaps this was a potential friend; someone she could talk with and not have to worry about some aspects of her thoughts.

At his pause she kept quiet because she did not want to interrupt his train of thought. She could tell that it was not the end of his telling and did not want to throw him off. She knew some men, the majority really, found it difficult to speak of some things they thought women would not understand so she was worried that her talking may make him hide away whatever was left. Her polite and intrigued smile began to fall as he described the amount of good men who had fallen due to this fight. She had no idea that they were losing so many and that it was likely to continue happening. She could not believe that things were that awful in terms of men fighting. She had always thought that they had plenty of men and although they were yet to be in a position to come home she had hoped that one day very soon that indeed would happen.

"There is nothing to forgive," she said quickly when he apologised as she tried to put the smile back on despite feeling so moved by what he said. Men were expected to fall in battle, a war ensured that of course, but to hear it put so bluntly and to make it appear they had little hope made her own hope falther a little. "I have no one at war, I just am interested in what our King is doing in the Holy Land as well as how the battle is fairing. No one usually describes so bluntly to a woman the terrors of war and I thank you for being the one. It can not be easy having to speak about it."

She knew it wasn't from experience. Robin never did.

[nico_debeaumont]

She leaned forward in concert with him as he spoke. Whether it was merely an instinct to move in sympathy or a sign of the depth of her interest he did not know. But as he spoke she certainly seemed riveted by the account, eyes wide, clearly absorbing every morsel she could. A beatific smile spread gradually across her face when he passed over the subject of the joy of cameraderie. Interesting. Did this girl love war, or warriors? Or perhaps merely a certain warrior, although it was something of a stretch to apply such a label to Guy of Gisborne, as far as Nicholas knew. When he got to the meat of it and her face began to fall, it was of no surprise. It would be surprising if many had learned the true extent of the mess in Palestine. No doubt the propaganda-obsessed recruitment officers carefully spread a thick layer of honey on top of the truth as they roamed England looking for fresh bodies for the mill. Still, she bore the news stoically, forcing a weak smile back to her face. This one was strong-willed, it looked. Perhaps as much fortitude as his sister, although he could scarcely imagine the Lady Marian screeching like a harpy as she launched personal effects and decorative knickknacks in his direction whilst at the peak of a spectacular tantrum.

"If you have lived it, speaking of it is a trifle in comparison. It is not usually a subject for light conversation, perhaps, but I am already aware of who courts your attentions. Light conversation is the most that we can share and still enjoy an uncomplicated reception from Sir Guy as a result, from what I am given to understand. I mean no offence to your...to the man, of course, but he was less than overjoyed to meet me on my return. I do not wish to sour his opinion of me any further than necessary. He and I will have to face one another often enough."

[not_a_maid]

Who courts her attentions? She frowned at that until the name was mentioned and she tried not to show any other reaction. After all, a man who had not long returned from the Holy Land thought Guy had some claim on her, which the man in question also thought. She may have gotten stupid and ran away with thoughts and feelings of being wanted not too long ago, but it meant nothing. It was a foolish girls actions, one that would lead to trouble if she was not safe. She regretted what had happened there but she was beginning to realise the power she held over men as a woman; what she could do with that aspect of her. She had been rather ignorant before, she would admit that much. Perhaps what was a girl lost in foolish happiness over being lusted after had given Guy the wrong impression, and rightly too. What else would a man think if a young woman was in such a situation with him?

And of course Guy was not happy to see him. He had been serving the King for love of him, and had not long returned from the war. The war that was being fought by the man Guy and the Sheriff were aiding others in defeating. The more Marian talked to the man before her, the more she began to wonder over his usefulness to her. Wonder where his loyalty lay now he had arrived home.

"I understand that it isn't the best conversation you would hope to have with a woman, but I thank you for your openness. And you should not worry too much over Sir Guy, he seems unsure of many at first."

She tried to keep her voice neutral, not speak in a way that could mean she loathed or loved him. She did not want to give any impressions she thought she should keep to herself.

[nico_debeaumont]

The Lady Marian seemed a little perturbed when Nico mentioned her suitor. Perhaps the two had had a lover's tiff the evening before. She certainly seemed weighed down by some knowledge or remembrance this morning. It seemed that Guy was not well schooled in keeping women happy, if the story about her bolting from the altar were true. Or - Christ, Nico could have kicked himself for his stupidity - more likely her father's whereabouts was the main source of her unhappiness. Nicholas found it hard to imagine what crimes Edward had committed in order to justify his imprisonment. Although as a younger man he'd rarely encountered the man, he'd always remembered Sheriff Fitzwalter as a somewhat even-handed official. His father had always seemed to hold the man in rather high regard. God's eyes, he ached to ask for the truth, but it would be unseemly beyond tolerance. It was doubtful Guy would offer up the information willingly after the brief exchange they'd shared at the ball. It had been enjoyable to repay the man's aloof and disinterested greeting in kind, but surely Guy's disposition to him was now even sourer than before. The only remaining option that was certain was the new Sheriff himself, and he was still too much of an unknown quantity. There was much important business to be discussed regarding Clun, taxes and the council of nobles before personal curiosities were permissible for conversation. Papa had oftentimes complained about long and tedious meetings of local lords. Now it was his turn to shelve private agenda and interest in service of his family's land and the tenants that worked it. Up to a point. There was still much to be pursued for his own sake, if only he knew what options lay before him. There had to be some joy to be found in politics. If not in securing the fulfilment of ends he deemed worthy, what else could it be?

He barked a short laugh in response to the Lady's account of Guy's attitudes to those who were unknown to him. "What you say is true. True, and extremely delicate. I hope he appreciates your capacity for discretion. What troubles me is that we are not strangers, he and I. When we were young, I considered him a firm friend. It pains me to find myself so estranged from a former confidante." He brightened. "But let us not speak of such matters. I trust you survived last night's festivities unmolested by outlaws?"

[not_a_maid]

She didn't know if she should laugh along with him when he laughed, but the sound was short that there was little time to think about it. Since when did she start debating if a time to laugh was right? Mentally rolling her eyes at herself, she kept her smile in place. She didn't want to seem like she lacked in manners, she just didn't know the right reaction at the moment. Was unsure about what was actually funny about what she said. Deciding to stop thinking too much on it, she just in time to catch him speaking again. Good, it would appear she had said nothing too forward or out of line and if she wanted to appear the perfect Lady, under the thumb of the Sheriff and Guy, then she had to stay in order.

"Perhaps Guy has much changed since the days you knew him?"

It was a possibility. If Sir Nicholas had been at war he would not have seen Guy for a while and time changed people. Guy had spent time in the Sheriff's service and that was enough to change someone, and not for the better. But of course the thought that time changed someone gave her hope. Perhaps one day Guy would become a better man, something she saw in him occasionally made her think it possible.

She was pulled from her thoughts at the question, pushing back a smile of happy rememberance and turning it into a smile of thanks for apparent concern. Not that he had the need to be concerned, he hardly knew her. But, once again, it was the polite thing to do.

"Well I was present when one of them showed up in the ball, but other than that incident yes, I was lucky enough to go the night without meeting one of them."

A lie. Complete and utter lie and she had no option but to utter it. She couldn't say that she had indeed met up with the outlaws, that the very outlaw who she was referring to seeing had, not long before his arrest, been in her embrace. It brought her mind back to exactly what was bound to be happening in the dungeons and she found it hard to keep the smile on her face after that.

[nico_debeaumont]

Nicholas gave a wry smile. "Perhaps he has changed, but not in demeanour. He was always the same when I knew him. His attitude to me; now that has changed, and as of yet I do not know why." The Lady seemed perfectly comfortable discussing the personality and theoretical motivations of her beau, and since Nico was as yet unaware of what drove the man these days, it would be certainly wise to encourage her to continue. He noticed her face cloud once more at the mention of outlaws, and frowned at his oversight.

"Please, forgive me;" he said to her quietly. "I am aware of to whom you were betrothed before I left for battle, and I should have recalled it sooner. I am sure you do not wish to dwell on what has become of a previous friend." It had been in his thoughts recently. It was an oversight brought by too much wine and too little sleep. Women were sensitive about such things, he knew. Even though Robin was now an outlaw, he expected some part of the young girl would mourn the man once he met his fate. It was inevitable. Their bodies might be weak, but women's hearts were resistant to all earthly powers. Once one had loved, she did not forget.

There was more to speak of on the subject of Guy, but Nico suspected he had soured the mood for now. He decided to let the girl choose for herself whether or not the conversation should continue. He did not want to press the subject too firmly when she was clearly not of the best humour.

[not_a_maid]

She wanted to question him, make him give more details about what had changed in his reaction to Nicholas but something told her she had to stop the interrogation. She barely knew the man and so many questions was not the best thing for a first meeting. Perhaps, if she got to know him better, she could discuss this matter in a more detailed manner. She always wanted to know more about Guy since he wasn't so willing to speak so she would find out from other sources if she had to.

She kept her gaze away from him at his apology. She should tell him there was nothing to forgive and give him that gentle smile, but she couldn't bring herself to. But perhaps he would think she was simply thinking on what could have been. Most men thought women incapable of moving on completely, and it would suit her slightly for him to think that was all that was wrong. But the mere mention of Robin pulled her thoughts even more to the man who was currently being held in the dungeons below. She use to think she would be happy never to see him again after the hurt he had caused her when he left. But she wanted him safe and staying up in the brunch was not helping.

"Do not worry," she said quietly before putting on a smile, that brave face she was use to putting over her features. "It is the past."

She was starting to regret coming here despite the orders she was given. Looking down at her long forgotten goblet, she passed it to a servant before straightening. She should get out of here and work out a plan. Something, anything to get Robin free. And staying amongst his captors wasn't going to help.

"Forgive me, Sir Nicholas, I am needed elsewhere. It was a pleasure speaking with you and I hope to continue a conversation with you another time."

She had to get out of here.

[nico_debeaumont]

Even as Nicholas offered apologies, she could not bring herself to eye contact. It was endearing. More than that; it was outright coquettish, although almost certainly not deliberate. A part of him stirred, despite his fatigue. A woman with the stomach for a fight that could still control her emotions. Unusual. Small wonder Guy was so eager to marry the woman, even after their abortive wedding. God in Heaven, he would have to know this woman better. Her head was full of things he burned to hear. This woman, this little slip, had hit Guy of Gisborne in front of a church full of spectators, and still walked and breathed. And most likely she carried more tantalising information about Nottinghamshire's inhabitants than the Sheriff himself...of whom Nicholas still had need to make aquaintance.

"It was a pleasure to meet again," replied Nico honestly, bowing his head slightly. "Please convey my greetings to your father when next you see him."

[not_a_maid]

She looked up at him when he began to talk, smiling at the bow of his head. He was a gentleman it would seem, and she was still unsure on what to make of him. A man who appeared to be on Richard's side, or was that just for appearance sake. After all the Sheriff had often 'celebrated the King's birthday'. She would have to keep a close eye on Sir Nicholas when she didn't have other things occupying her, mainly the outlaw currently being held below her in the dungeons. And then he mentioned the other man currently being held in the same situation only she knew the treatment Robin was receiving was different to that her father was getting. She was glad, of course, that her father wasn't being hurt like Robin no doubt was but that didn't mean she was happy that either man was locked there.

"I shall," she said with a nod. "Another time, Sir."

With that, she smiled and stepped back before walking away, intent on making the door. She knew she had no need to stay, enough people had seen her for the Sheriff to know she had obeyed his command. She had to plan, however, and standing up here wasn't going to help.