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

Comments

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Events proceeded well. The sun shone like a disc of the finest gold outside, and Hood remained in the dungeons. What more could Bran ask for? He couldn't even ask for a breakfast at the Sheriff's expense, for tables of free comestibles already awaited the party-goers. The whole affair put Bran in an excellent mood. However, something nagged at the back of his mind, prompting him to believe he had overlooked something. Something important, no less. But since the idea had squirmed in his brain since last evening, he'd grown used to ignoring it. He would deal with it eventually, just not at present, for at the moment he had more important matters to attend. The most important matter concerned breakfast

[nico_debeaumont]

The Lady Marian having departed, Nico looked down at his hands. There was a laden plate in one and a full goblet in the other, both having lain forgotten once he'd had a chance to speak to Gisborne's mysterious fiancee. He'd planned to take the morning slowly, and not to overindulge in the wine as he had at home the night before. But how was he to eat with both hands full? Deciding that perhaps the ancient saying was true, he quaffed the cup's contents and motioned over a servant to carry away the empty vessel

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran skewered a slice of meat with his dagger and levered the food onto his plate. The bread looked tempting, but he'd decided to focus on heartier fare. His meal selected, he turned to find a place from which to devour his take while eyeing the hall's occupants.

He got as far two steps toward a likely looking location when he spotted Nicholas striding toward him. The blond obviously headed for Bran.

A smile lit the Cymry's face as Nicholas greeted him. Had the meeting occurred before the events of the previous night - the wonderful, spectacular events! - Bran would have simply offered a curt reply and nod. But this warrior had fought at Bran's side against Hood, and that would improve anyone's opinion of Nicholas. Well, anyone with more than half a functioning brain, of course.

"Sir Nicholas de Beaumont!" He balanced his wine goblet on his plate and extended a hand in welcome. "I may say the same of you. Have you tired permanently of your travels with our Good King Richard?" A sickly sweet smile tainted his tone as he uttered

[nico_debeaumont]

God's eyes, it was welcome at last to be recieved with some pleasure. The majority of Nottingham he gave no shit for, but disinterest from certain parties had stung a little. Old friends grown distant could prove troublesome. He shook the offered hand warmly and returned Sir Brian's smile. "Our Dear Leader must needs conquer the Saracen without the aid of either myself or his precious Locksley, it seems. Of course, he has always believed himself capable of taking the entire nation single-handedly. With luck, in time we will find out if he was right. Phillipe is long gone, of course, and more French follow him home every day. It will be a cold day in Hell before I set foot in that filthy excuse for a nation a second time." He paused, curiosity striking him. "Forgive me, I do not recall from where you hail, but I know it is not here. Will you be residing in Nottingham long, or will you return home presently?" It seemed superflous to enquire if he knew the Sheriff. What else would bring him here?

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Nicholas looked pleased, even relieved, as he grasped Bran's hand and smiled. In fact, he looked far happier to see the Cymry than he had looked during most of the previous night. Apparently Nicholas possessed some sense! So, he valued a reunion with a comrade more highly than he did introductions to nobles? Bran had hardly spent extended periods of time with Nicholas in the Holy Land, but from what he knew of the man, the reaction seemed in character. Good

[nico_debeaumont]

Properly reaquainted and upon positive footing, Nico took the opportunity to sample a few select morsels from his plate as Sir Brian spoke. It was passable fare, acceptable for breaking of fast at least. No doubt the choicest cuts and fowl had been prepared for last night's festivities, but what remained for the guests this morning was no worse than he'd have expected his own servants to provide him

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran took a bite of meat and chewed thoughtfully as Nicholas spoke. The Cymry gave a half smile at the knight's comment about Bran finding enough to occupy his time. Too true. And Nicholas only knew a fraction of the business

[nico_debeaumont]

Sir Brian clearly had respect enough for Locksley's abilities of escape, despite his opinions of the outlaw himself. Nico wondered briefly if the man had form on the matter. Much as it pained him to concede, Locksley was indeed a resourceful and creative fighter, but could he truly hope to defy the might of Nottingham's guard force and the security of its dungeons single-handed? Still, it was a satisfying thought, that of Locksley's disembodied head decorating a halberd, drooling his precious lifeblood across the uncaring dust of Nottingham's streets

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Nicholas seemed to have reached the same conclusion regarding Guy's calculating...girl as had Bran. The Cymry nodded as his eyes unfocused for a moment at the thought of Gisborne and the ast marrying. "I had heard word of her relationship with Hood." He still could not understand her fascination with the fool, though. From what Bran understood of women's taste in men, Hood lacked any sort of attractiveness as far as his appearance, and his personality would certainly only repulse any sane female. Sane female...that seemed a creature as rare as a unicorn in this shire! "One wonders how far from madness she is if she sides with that wolfshead, however. I can hardly see any traits a well bred woman would value in him

[nico_debeaumont]

Nicholas cocked his head, intruiged by Brian's words. "Side with him? Surely not. He hardly offers any prospect of marriage. What would she do, join his merry band of reprobates and begin living wild in the forest? The girl would be unable to walk in a straight line after one night in their company. Can you imagine Locksley siring a new line of bastard thieves, whelped in Sherwood?" He laughed. It was a diverting enough prospect to entertain, but surely impossible.

He picked at his plate, not particularly hungry but because it was there; Nico found that absent the challenges and struggles of war that comparitively little was required to sustain him. He had seen his father grow from a battle-ready knight to a fat and lazy Earl. He did not intend the same fate for himself.

"Bedding her, perhaps," Nico agreed. "Wedding her seems...rather excessive. Surely Gisborne must see something of worth in her, other than her romantic history. Do you know she punched him on their wedding day? In the church? And still he pursues her Perhaps he

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran shook his head. "No, I use the term side loosely. If she has not completely sworn off her former lover and worked to have him apprehended, then I consider her a sympathizer. Women like her can hardly be trusted anyway." Life on the battlefield and in occupied lands ingrained in Bran a deep understanding of the verse, "If you are not for me, you are against me." In combat, trusting one's fate to someone whose loyalty belonged even partially to the enemy led to a swift death or at least capture. From what Bran had seen, life in Nottinghamshire differed little from this.

Whelping more outlaws... Bran snorted then in amusement as a thought occurred. "Let us hope Gisborne has taken this opportunity to castrate the dog. At least then if he escapes, we won't have to worry about him siring more bastards." The absolute last thing the Isles needed was more fools like Hood.

Well now, the assault the Lady launched on Guy came as an interesting bit of news. "Punched him, you say?" Bran cocked a brow, careful to conceal his rising anger.

[nico_debeaumont]

Ah, now sympathise was a different matter. Nico nodded. "I have spoken with her this morning. She is certainly preoccupied with something. I wondered if former attatchments might be contributing to her melancholy." Of course, knowing women, it could just have easily been caused by breaking her favourite fingernail. Nicholas knew it was unwise to attempt to apply logic to female minds

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran shook his head, his brows raised in disbelief. Why on earth did Gisborne tolerate this woman and her machinations? For that matter, why did the Sheriff not take matter into his own hands? Having the former lover of the current chief outlaw roaming the castle bordered on madness. Then again, perhaps Vaizey knew more than he appeared to. Perhaps he waited for her to hang herself with her own rope, a cord she wove from misguided love and idealism.

"Attachments..." Bran rubbed his chin in thought, his thumbnail scratching along his stubble. "A possibility, indeed. After all, seeing the person she was promised to dragged to the dungeons after the disgrace of the murder and capture would hardly be comforting if she still harbors feelings for him. Women," he snorted, "even heinous crimes are not enough to make them come to their senses when they are lovestruck. If that is indeed the case," he added.

Nicholas had a point about Gisborne and the ast's interaction at the ball. The fact mystified Bran all the more. "You know more than I

[nico_debeaumont]

Nico laughed shortly. "And I do not know much," he added to the other man's comment. But he still had a morsel or two to mete out. Speaking of which...as Brian began speaking anew he chose a slice of what looked like pork from his plate - he had missed it on Crusade - folded it two and ate it in a single bite. "Mmhmph," he replied, raising a finger. Once he had finally chewed it into submission and swallowed, he added: "Perhaps the attatchment is stronger for him than for her. I know Gisborne hates him - that is one thing that has not changed, I'd lay my family's entire wealth on, without pause or fear. Did you know Locksley well, at Crusade? His poor heart apparently wept blood at the parting from young Marian. If Guy has heard Locksley still loves her, the knowledge of his heartache might well be balm enough for his wounded pride; and reputation. But women, their minds cannot be fathomed. Who knows what possesses her. We were not well acquainted before I left and I spoke little with her today. She is as much a stranger to me as the

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Nicholas appeared rather pleased with the meal. Bran gave an inward smile. A good thing the Black Knights had decided to assassinate Richard when the did, else Bran would have languished in the scorching sands just as had Nicholas

[nico_debeaumont]

Nico nodded. "Well enough. Guy I considered a close friend. Locksley somewhat less so. He was a superior little shit when we were young. The best with bow even then, a natural talent, and he knew it. By God, would he not be silent about it for a second. Only child, mother gone; you know the type. He was...well indulged by his father