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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[lucatz_of_arun]

After his talk with Hilla, Lucatz headed back up to the Great Hall. He had scarcely eaten since the morning before and he was famished. Wine could only fuel a man for so long. The kitchens had been busy and he'd already had a chance to view what would be offered: mostly hand food and dainty little things. One of the benefits of being in charge was that he could eat what he wanted though, and if he was unable to satisfy himself with the buffet, then there was no one that could forbid him from grazing on last night's leftovers. No one but Vaizey and Guy and he seriously doubted they would care.

Lucatz entered the hall through the door under the balcony and stood there a moment, scanning the room for familiar faces. First he spotted the Sheriff at the largest table. He seemed to be in a good enough mood still. Catherine was there too, smiling at an older, redheaded man. Lucatz needed to speak with her urgently but he knew how sour she would be if he interrupted her flirting. He turned his attention to the buffet and noticed Marian at one end. She was speaking to a tall, fair haired gentleman. There was some distance between his viewpoint and the pair, but with that hair, those shoulders, and a jaw like that, Lucatz recognized him even without the mask. If Lord Nicholas was going to provoke Guy by speaking to his woman, well, he suspected the Earl was more than capable of handling the consequences.

He began for the buffet but stopped as he saw Isabella leave the bottom of the stairs and cross the room to the buffet. She didn't seem to notice him, but he was in shadow, semi-lurking about by the door way, and dressed more like a tidy traveler than a Knight, so it was unsurprising that he was overlooked. Lucatz found it odd that she was wearing her ball gown again... had Guy not even offered her a change of clothes? Surely he could have sent for her things wherever she was staying or asked Marian to loan her a dress or two. On the up side, she was there, healthy, and free to attend the brunch, so things between the siblings must have been on neutral footing at worst. Good.

Lucatz tidied his hair and fidgeted with the collar of his tunic as he debated on how to approach her. There was much unsaid between them and they had not parted on the best of terms the night before. A splash of color on one of the tables caught his eye: a bowl of fruit, likely intended to be decoration. It gave him an idea and he just had to hope she was well versed in symbolism. Lucatz grinned and strode towards he buffet, grabbing a bright red apple out of the bowl as he passed by and polishing it on his sleeve. He slowed down and walked softly as he neared Isabella, trying to catch her by surprise. It wasn't difficult as her attentions were focused on her plate; Honey was sticking to her spoon, refusing to fall to her plate, and she was making the most adorable face of frustration. He stopped beside her and held the apple out over her plate so she would see it. Lucatz kept his voice light and teasing as he said, “Care for an apple?”

((ooc: godmodding done with permission))

[elle_isabelle]

Isabella tried to shake her spoon as surreptitiously as possible. The honey had been stored somewhere too cold, so it was grainy and thick, refusing to drip onto her bread and probably making her look like a complete fool.

An apple suddenly appeared beside the offending condiment, held in a very nice hand, and offered by a familiarly-accented voice. Isabella glanced up, startled at Lucatz's sudden appearance out of nowhere. Christ, had he been watching her wrestle with the honey? She very much hoped that there wasn't an embarrassed flush across her face.

Isabella searched his face but found no trace of anger. There was, however, mischief in his eyes. As worry and surprise ebbed, her expression warmed with the hint of a smile. She glanced down at the apple, then quickly back up to Lucatz. Isabella quirked an eyebrow. Was his choice of fruit intentional?

"I'm tempted," Isabella said, keeping her tone neutral so he could interpret her words as he liked. But she couldn't help smile that broke over her face a moment later. "You did promise me apples, didn't you?" she said, closing her hand over the proferred fruit.

[lucatz_of_arun]

Lucatz's smile broadened into a grin when Isabella said she was tempted. Good, he thought. She might yet have words that could change it, but it seemed as if the day was set to continue in his favor.

“I did. I still owe you a dance too, as ours was interrupted before it began, but I think we should save that one for a more appropriate time.” Lucatz tried to look disappointed at having to put off their dance. It didn't work; his grin dimmed a moment but returned just as strong as he imagined the startled looks they would get if he did grab her and start dancing. The thought was funny, a sign of his good mood, and very in the realm of impossibility. He doubted either of them wanted to draw that kind of attention.

“May I also tempt you into sharing a table with me? I think we have much to talk about.” He didn't want to add that his suggestion hinged on whether or not she was actually allowed to dine with the brunch and if Guy would be joining her. Lucatz had not seen him since the capturing of Hood and he intended to keep it that way. At least until he knew the situation with Isabella.

[elle_isabelle]

At her words, the mischievous look on Lucatz's face broadened into a full grin. Isabella was glad to see it, especially after last night. Though it was surprising--had something changed since then?

"I would agree with you there," she replied, amused, glancing around the hall, brightly lit and filled with schmoozing nobles. She looked back at Lucatz, curious about the implication of his words. She had assumed that once he left, they would never see each other again.

Isabella barely hesitated to answer Lucatz's question. Guy was nowhere in sight. She had certainly not intended to cut herself off from the company of men, and him not honoring his promises hardly gave her incentive to follow his wishes. Even if he did show up, he could hardly make a scene in public. Isabella would do as she wished. "I would like that," she said, with a genuinely happy smile. She took the apple out of his hand and set it on her plate. "Do you need to eat still?"

[lucatz_of_arun]

He was pleased that not only did she accept his apple, but she was quick to accept his invitation to sit with him. And she looked happy at the prospect. Things must have worked out well with her brother then, if she was in a mood that good. That kind of joy also meant either she didn't know about the murder or didn't suspect him, and if she did suspect, then she didn't care. He was fine with any of those options.

"I do. I'll go fix my plate and rejoin you shortly." He gave a slight bow, then started to walk past her. At her shoulder he paused, leaned towards her slightly, and whispered, "When you tire of playing with the honey, you might try that pot over there."

Lucatz nodded vaguely towards another section of the buffet, where a woman was pouring honey onto some sliced fruits. Later he would have a talk with whomever had laid out the table about making sure condiments were stored properly. Sure it was amusing, and it gave him a chance to be kind and save her some embarrassment, but next time it could be he who had difficulty and that wouldn't be near as funny. Lucatz headed off to fetch a plate and decide what he wanted to eat.

[elle_isabelle]

Isabella turned slightly to look at Lucatz as he leaned in to tell her where to find better honey. Part embarrassed, part pleased, she narrowed her eyes at his jibe. She dropped the spoon into the undesirable honey and stalked off archly. It was for appearances rather than out of real irritation, and Isabella figured he would be able to guess that.

After a more successful attempt at applying honey to her bread, Isabella took her plate to an empty table a bit away from most of the crowd--enough to give them privacy, but not enough that they would look suspicious. She sat so her back was mostly to the room, but she still had a view of it from the corner of her eye. She had no desired to be surprised by Guy again.

As she began to cut the apple into slices, Isabella debated where to start. Asking about the earl, or last night? She had a feeling that the conversation about last night could become involved, so probably best to be polite first, and offer her condolences if Lucatz knew the earl.

[lucatz_of_arun]

Lucatz located a plate and began perusing the buffet. He was torn between loading his dish up with everything he wanted and appearing a glutton, or sticking to his earlier thought of eating just a bit then gorging himself in the kitchen later. He settled on a compromise: some bread and butter, some cheese, and a sizable pear. Plenty, but not overly filling. Lucatz also took a moment to speak to one of the servers and firmly requested that she either switch out the grainy honey or at least warm it to a proper consistency. The girl - Lucatz knew her but regrettably could not put a name to her face - hurried to complete the command.

After watching to make sure that she grabbed the right honey, because he certainly wouldn't be surprised if she was confused as to the difference between left and right, Lucatz collected a cup of well-spiced wine and looked about for Isabella. The Lady had selected a table that was secluded enough to grant them a chance to talk without constant worry of eavesdropping. An excellent choice, he thought, because he definitely did not want their conversation getting around. Especially if she happened to voice any sensitive concerns.

He joined her at the table, choosing the seat across from her. Lucatz settled into the chair and stared happily at his plate, savoring the moment. He had somewhat good wine at hand, good food before him, the company of a good woman, a good friend somewhere nearby, and had just been granted a good job. This day was a good day. Lucatz sighed and looked up at Isabella, a contented smile upon his face. "It's good to see you, Isabella. How are you this morning?"

[elle_isabelle]

Lucatz's smile was heartening after the seriousness of all the things Isabella had been considering. It was strange to hear him call her by her real name, but she found that despite the unpleasantness with Guy, she liked that Lucatz knew who she really was. Astonishingly, his opinion of her didn't seem to have changed, and she hoped that it would stay that way.

The setting was pleasant, peaceful, and more like what she had hoped for the night before. Isabella returned his smile, though hers was more tentative.

"Quite good, now," she replied, her smile broadening to indicate that the present company had made it so. Isabella set down the apple and knife, her expression becoming grave. "And how are you? I heard about the Earl, and I was wondering if you'd known him."

[lucatz_of_arun]

Lucatz's smile disappeared as soon as Isabella said the word 'Earl'. It was a good day except for the whole murder and subterfuge business. He had been prepared to discuss the subject, but prepared was not the same as ready. He nodded slowly and stared at his plate again. Isabella probably thought he was half mad with the way his moods must seem to change. Such was the penalty of lies and his inability to maintain his acting. After a sigh, he answered her, "Yes. I knew him well. William was practically my father."

"I was here under the Earl's orders," Lucatz did not specify which Earl and thus was not technically lying, "and I was meant to ride back with him today." Still not lying, he could have escorted the body. "I think Hood learned of our plans and..." That wasn't a total lie either; Hood had certainly learned he had been framed. Lucatz reached over and picked up his cup, peering into the wine as if it held some advice.

"I would prefer not to think about it, and pretend much of last night was a terrible dream," he confided to Isabella. That time, he'd told her the complete truth. Lucatz lifted his glass to his lips and took a good, long drink.

[elle_isabelle]

Isabella's heart sank as Lucatz's good mood disappeared. And then--Christ, it was worse than she'd thought. She'd imagined, if he'd known him at all, that the earl would have been a distant figure, an employer at most. But a father figure? It was amazing that Lucatz had managed to seem as cheerful as he had. But everyone dealt with grief differently. "Lucas, I'm so sorry," she said quietly. She had been wondering what she should call him, if the disclosure of her identity would mean more formality between them, but in her shock she didn't notice that she used the familiar, English form of his name.

The previous night must have been terrible for him. Uncertainty about his future, the confrontation with Guy, and on top of that, the death of the earl . . . Isabella felt a niggle of guilt at her own hand in the events of the previous night. But it wasn't as if she'd had much choice in the matter. Something also pulled at the corner of her thoughts, some oddity about the whole situation, but the impression was vague and refused to resolve into anything more concrete. She pushed it aside.

"I understand," she replied. "Then let's make your last hours in Nottingham as pleasant as possible." His ride back to Arundel with the earl's body would be trying enough. Isabella ran a finger around the rim of her cup. Teasing was easier, but now was not the time for that. "I'm glad I got to see you before you left."

[lucatz_of_arun]

He tried his hardest to do as he'd said and not think about the events of the previous night. Lucatz had grieved himself into exhaustion already, and the morning sun appeared to have brought with it God's forgiveness. If he could just push it away in his mind, then he could move on. He swallowed his wine along with as much of his lingering depression as he could.

At least Isabella did not seem overly suspicious. Yet. She was eager to move on, in fact, just like a proper lady would when faced with such a situation. Death and murder were not proper breakfast subjects.

"Thank you, but my stay in Nottingham has become indefinite. This morning the Sheriff named me his steward," he said as he sat down his cup then tore a chunk off of his bit of bread. Lucatz was unable to scrounge up much in the way of a smile but hoped his gratefulness at the lighter subject was clear enough. "It is... a complicated situation, and there is much I can not tell you, but I can explain some if you like."

[elle_isabelle]

Isabella's breath caught at Lucatz's news. Indefinite? The position of steward was an important one, and would not be handed out lightly--certainly not to someone who would be around only for a few more days or weeks. Her heart rose at the prospect that Lucatz would stay, that she might have a friend in Nottingham.

She tried to keep her expression measured out of respect for Lucatz's grief, but she wasn't sure how much she had succeeded. "Congratulations are in order--I hope," she said. "It is welcome news to me, though I hope it has not come at greater hardship to you." Isabella picked up an apple slice and then paused, wondering if the apple gained in significance in light of this recent development. At least now she would have the chance to ask him, if she wished.

After her initial excitement, Isabella began to grow curious; this was one more oddity to the mystery of the earl's murder. "I am sure Nottingham is full of intrigues," she said merrily, her mood much lightened. What political center wouldn't be, especially with a prince well-known to want his brother's throne in residence? "But I am curious."

[lucatz_of_arun]

Isabella's intake of breath was not lost on Lucatz, nor her attempt to disguise her enthusiasm. It pleased him greatly to see that she was eager for him to stay. Sure, it could just be that he was the only person she knew in Nottingham besides Gisborne, but he would pretend it was because she liked him. Isabella congratulated Lucatz and he dipped his head in thanks, then ate the piece of bread in his hand. As he did, she agreed to hear his explanation. He finished eating, then began telling her his carefully twisted version of the truth.

"My purpose in being here was to negotiate an agreement between Arundel and Nottingham. The terms of which were... agreeable to the Earl and the Sheriff, but not to me, and I suspect not to Robin Hood. And as I said, I think that might be the reason..." Lucatz trailed off to avoid having to say those words again and tore off another piece of bread. "Lord William was here to finalize the agreement and that was the cause of my distress last night. But a new Earl means a new contract, which means new terms. William the Younger and I are of a similar mind about such things so I have no doubt that new developments will weigh lighter on my conscience."

Lucatz knew his story might still introduce suspicion, but he hoped she would remember their exchange on the portico. He would have had no cause to murder his 'master' if he had intended to resign. He popped the bit of bread into his mouth and chewed quickly. He wanted to give her time to absorb, but not time to think. As soon as his bite was finished, he continued, "Staying is no hardship at all, I asked for the post. Stewardship means I will be benefiting both Arundel and Nottingham without becoming bored out of my wits waiting on messages and meetings. It gives me power to improve the situation for the staff here, and to a lesser extent, Nottingham proper.

"And it puts me in a position to speak on your behalf should Gisborne be unreasonable. You see why I am happy, despite last night?" he finished with a real smile.

[elle_isabelle]

Isabella happily ate her apple slices as she listened to Lucatz's explanation. Perhaps that agreement was why he had been ready to resign his position the night before. Likely it was political, if it were something that the Sheriff--a notorious supporter of Prince John--would have liked and something that Robin Hood--a supporter of the king--would not. Interesting that here, Lucatz's feelings aligned with Robin Hood's; last night he had seemed rather critical of the outlaw.

Before Isabella could follow along that line of thinking, Lucatz continued. What she found curious was that if his quarrel with the Earl--former Earl--of Arundel had been resolved, more or less, why stay in Nottingham? Wouldn't serving the new earl be far more prestigious--and probably lucrative--than overseeing the household of a sheriff? But then again not everyone handled boredom well. To Isabella, whose home life was . . . volatile, monotony and stability sounded wonderful. But perhaps it wasn't as nice as it seemed.

She smiled at Lucatz's declaration that he was still willing to help her, then dropped her eyes to her plate. She hoped it wouldn't come to that, but after the way her meeting with Guy had panned out, it was nice to know she still had an ally. After a moment, she raised her eyes to Lucatz's. "I'm glad that you have so many good things to be happy about," she said. She hoped that they would make dealing with the earl's death easier, or at least provide a distraction.

Isabella took a bite of her bread, being careful not to get honey everywhere. As she chewed, she remembered her question. "Why did you want to stay here if you get on better with the new Earl? Not that I'm objecting. It's just that everything I've heard about the Sheriff here claims him to be . . . formidable," Isabella finished, though her expression implied something rather more opinionated than her words did. She knew Lucatz to be a good man, but surely no one sane or less than saintly would willingly choose a worse situation than they had simply to help people.

"Is he here, by the way?" Isabella whispered, before glancing over her shoulder at the assembled guests. None of them, at least the ones she could see properly, seemed particularly demonic.

[lucatz_of_arun]

"Me too. Most bad carries some good with it," he said, avoiding saying 'all' bad carries some good. Maybe the only good thing her bad marriage brought was her in his direction. Despite it being her most attractive feature, Lucatz had forgotten to consider just how smart Isabella was. Luckily for him this time the flaws she noticed were not the dangerous ones. He did not find it necessary to whisper just to point out the Sheriff, but lowered his voice somewhat to make her feel less self conscious about asking.

"He is over there, at the head table. The older fellow with the short grey beard and vicious look. If you should have to meet him, be careful, Isabella. His reputation is well deserved," Lucatz gestured towards the Sheriff. He then picked up his knife and pear. "As proof, the answer to your other question. It was his command not my decision. But he failed to consider that I might have my own reasons to stay and that gave me chance to ask for position. Or perhaps he was just feeling generous."

Lucatz shrugged minutely and sliced a piece of flesh and peel from the pear, then lifted the slice to his mouth. It amused him that, though he was usually thought of as a 'very proper' man, she was the one who had carefully sectioned her apple before eating and he was only using a knife on his pear because he thought she might find it rude were he to bite into it. He couldn't remember if he used to slice his fruit or if he'd just become so used to vulgar eating with Allan that it wasn't as much of a concern anymore.

"How did things go with Guy? You stayed here last night, are you to remain? Being the friend of the steward has its advantages, I could get you a better room if you liked." Lucatz grinned. If she was staying in the castle, they would have plenty of chances to spend time together. He could let her decorate her own room and- no, Gisborne would likely want her in Locksley, well away from the Sheriff. Still, if she stayed, then at the least see that she had an apple every morning at breakfast.

[elle_isabelle]

Isabella turned to look at the man Lucatz pointed out. It was kind of . . . anticlimactic, actually. He looked cunning, rather unpleasant, but not as imposing as she had imagined he must. Perhaps one had to see him face to face for that, and she had no intention of doing that any time soon. She turned back to Lucatz, raising her eyebrows at his warning. It was good to know it wasn't just talk, but it was a bit worrisome. She glanced over her shoulder once more to make sure she would remember his face in case she ran across him again, then turned back to her plate, and to Lucatz.

His answer to her question didn't really answer anything. But it did introduce the interesting development that the Sheriff had ordered him to stay. How curious. But he'd said there was much he couldn't talk about, and perhaps the reasons why fell into that. Isabella was interested to know more, but she didn't pursue that line of questioning--at least for the moment. If things worked out, she would have plenty of time to work out the knotty webs of intrigue that ran through the city. Something would have to occupy her time now that she didn't have a household to run, and it would help her position to stay abreast of what was happening amongst the important players in the shire.

Isabella sipped from her cup as Lucatz asked about the night before. She grinned a little at his offer, her expression turning wistful as she set her cup down. "The room I'm in is very nice, actually. I'm not sure if I could tell you where it is, though, since I hardly know the castle. It has a tapestry of deer and windows that face west." She ran her finger around the edge of the cup again, drawing out the moments before she had to speak of her brother. "I think Guy will help me. It was . . . odd," she said tactfully. "We didn't get much time to talk--as soon as we went back to the Great Hall, they were announcing--that Robin Hood was there," she said, carefully avoiding a reference to the earl's murder. "Then he sent me off to a room with a servant girl, and I haven't heard from him since."

She dropped her hands to her lap, twining her fingers together. "Lucas--should I still call you that? I'm sorry about last night. I knew that I might see Guy, but I never dreamed he would surprise us like that." She paused. "I hope you understand why I did not tell you."