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]

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."

He paused to take a bite of meat, then continued, "Bedding the woman who was to wed Hood would certainly be a fine cut against the outlaw. But," he glanced at Nicholas with a grin, "it seems a painful amount of inconvenience to tolerate in order to inflict such an insult."

Bran almost added that killing the woman seemed a far easier and rewarding approach, but he stopped himself. Putting the witch out of her misery would likely only give Hood more of a passion for victory. However, this still provided no good answer for Guy's willingness to suffer the girl's antics.

[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 likes his women...unpredictable. Or perhaps he is as mad as she, I cannot discount it. Surely he can seduce a woman who is attractive and stable...or at least what passes for that among their kind."

[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. That ast dared to strike the Sheriff's man, a knight, in his own church? "Tell me he punished her sufficiently, else I will be inclined to believe this place's rampant madness has also afflicted Gisborne!" A hanging would have done the crime justice, but that obviously had yet to occur. Perhaps she had spent a week in the stocks or received a flogging. Vaizey seemed the sort to mete out suitable punishments...

[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.

Nico saw Brian's face twitch. He smiled, tightly but with genuine amusement. He knew roughly what must be going through the other man's thoughts. He did so love exchanging scandalous news. "To the best of my knowledge, she remains unmolested by his displeasure. Did you see them last night? Hardly the air of a couple disconcerted. Of course, even the best of my knowledge on this affair...let us say to call it patchy would be a kindness. I do not present Gospel truth, nor do I pretend to. Neither can I attest to Gisborne's madness. He was...less than overjoyed to see me home from war. It has been-" more than a decade, he realised, "- a long time since I saw him before that. I know nothing of the man he grew into." That was...bordering on understatement.

[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." Which irked Bran. "True, they hardly seemed at odds. One can only speculate how such a...truce can be possible after all that has transpired. Guy should harbor some animosity for the dishonor she brought him. As for her..." he shook his head, "I will not even venture to understand that creature." That ast. "How can she strike a man and leave him at the altar one moment, then hang on his arm at a ball the next?"

He paused. Should he mention his former acquaintance with Gisborne? "I did not know Gisborne when he was younger," he said with care, "but I did not believe him to be a man who tolerates such disrespect from a woman."

[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 Sheriff, almost." And where had Guy and the Sheriff crossed paths, exactly? After his father had refused to take in the young Gisborne orphans, Nicholas had steeled his heart against never setting eyes on his friend again. Guy had...exceeded everybody's expectations. With a mild jolt, Nico realised that Guy's return had been prior to his father's death. Regardless of the deep and profound respect he had for Papa, Nico would have sacrificed a lot to witness the reaquaintance between the two. He wondered if Guy would have thought, or cared, about the fact he'd been denied shelter as barely a child by the man. Almost certainly, if Nicholas still knew him. He might have changed, but...that much? Impossible.

[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.

So Hood's pathetic, sickening sentimentality made him miserable at the Crusade's outset. That hadn't lasted long. Betrothed lover? What betrothed lover? Bran could hardly remember any times when Hood spoke of her. The wolfshead cared more for his King and the insane idea of winning back the scorpion-infested Holy Land than he did about his woman. Yes, how endearing women must find such loyalty. Bran snorted. Women and their inverted emotions!

"We were not what I would call Brothers in Arms," Bran replied. "I maintained a civil tone toward him, but his...attitude toward our illustrious leader made him a difficult man with which to keep company for long." As did his insistence on saving the devil's life. "He knew me well enough that he would likely recognize me should we meet again. Assuming I am not wearing a mask, of course." The Cymry smirked. Costume balls had always seemed an extravagance, but Bran had to admit that the ridiculous masks had made his work far easier.

With a glance toward Guy's girl, Bran thought of Nicholas's comment regarding Guy's hatred for Hood. Why not gather some information on Nicholas and Gisborne while the chance presented itself? "You seem to know both Locksley and Sir Guy well, however. I assume they grew up together in Nottinghamshire, but why does Gisborne hate Hood so? Any fool can see it goes well beyond the fact that Hood is an outlaw." How much did Nicholas know about Guy? And for that matter, did the lieutenant have another reason - other than Hood's hatred of law and order and his love for Richard - for despising Hood?

[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."

He paused, considered and decided. He would leave the affliction out of it. Swapping fresh gossip about Guy was one thing. Dredging up long-forgotten humiliation was poor form in the extreme. It was not yet outside the realms of possibility that his friendship with Guy might be rekindled. He would sooner see it so than destroyed completely.

"The families Gisborne and Locksley were not unfriendly with one another. There was a fire at Locksley manor one night soon after Guy's father returned from the war. Both Robin and Guy were orphaned the same day. Robin became lord of Locksley before his first shave, and the Gisborne lands reverted to his ownership. They had been awarded as reward for Roger Gisborne's military service; with him gone, apparently they were to be returned to the Locksley title. I do not fully understand why Robin was allowed to keep his lands and yet Guy and Isabella were turned away - did you know he had a sister? Robin would not even take them in. Neither would my own father, much to my chagrin." Perhaps Guy held a grudge against the entire de Beaumont line in response. It was far from unthinkable, Nico acknowledged, despite the fact that rarely did boys of a mere fourteen summers hold sway over their father's business.

"I didn't see Guy or his sister again, after the day their parents died. At least, I did not meet him again until the day I returned to Nottingham from Crusade. I burn to learn of the intervening years, but I fear it will be a long time before Guy invites me to Locksley manor for a cup of wine and an evening of reminiscence. Sometimes we must be content with knowing as much as we do. I doubt there is another who could tell me. Isabella herself, of course, but I have not heard her name spoken in Nottingham. I assume she either married or died. I do not think Guy would abandon his sister to the wilds."

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Hood had stolen Gisborne's land? And...good God, Guy had a sister?! At that moment, Bran was eternally grateful that he had not chosen to take a drink of wine or bite of meat when Nicholas spoke. The knight should have felt equal relief, for his face would have sported a spray of said comestibles. Or perhaps the food would have just lodged in Bran's windpipe. Either way, luck had smiled on the Cymry.

Bran coughed into his sleeve to hide his surprise, but couldn't disguise it entirely. Cach, he'd rather take a punch in he stomach than have new catch him so offguard.

A sister... And Hood had seen to it that Guy departed the Gisborne lands at the point of an arrow. Basdun! At least Gisborne had recovered his lands. Still, to suffer such disgrace and dishonor at the hands of the mongrel... Bran's eyes sought the door to the corridor that eventually led to the dungeons. He should march down to the cells that instant and gut the disgusting wolfshead. For the good of all mankind. Only a supreme act of will stopped Bran. The muscles on his jaw stood out as he clenched his teeth. Guy possessed every right to the joy of torturing Hood, alone, to within an inch of the outlaw's filthy life.

"Saints blood," Bran said after composing himself. Frowning, he shook his head in disbelief and disapproval. "It seems Sir Guy is justified in every bit of hatred he feels toward Hood. Stealing lands and driving off its true owners - that is an irreprehensible act, especially when the owners are but children." Ah yes, an act the Ffreincs performed daily. No wonder Hood loved the devil king so dearly! With behavior such as that, they got on beautifully. "He will take great joy in seeing Hood meet death, then." Bran smiled. Why bother hide his own joy at that event?

Then he sobered at the thought of...Bella? "Odd that I have not heard news of Gisborne's sister. But perhaps she has married and moved from the Isles, returned to the Gisborne's relatives or ancestral home."

Once, during the trip back from the Holy Land, Bran had mentioned his family and made a passing inquiry regarding Guy's kin. The lieutenant stated in no uncertain terms that he possessed no family. Did he not trust the Cymry? Or... Denial of that level could mean only one thing: disownment. The siblings must have squabbled and then one of them had distanced themselves. Since Gisborne remained in Nottinghamshire, the sister must have instigated the falling out. Interesting.

"I must ask Gisborne about the subject sometime," Bran murmured, almost to himself.

((OOC Yes, don't worry, Imma discuss the night's "fun" w/Nico in a minute.))

[nico_debeaumont]

Nico smiled at Sir Brian's shock. He did so love being the bearer of scandalous news. "Justified indeed," he replied softly. Perhaps as word of Locksley's past form spread around Nottinghamshire it might jolt the memories of those who had witnessed it and deified the man regardless. As Elizabeth had told it, not only did every maid swoon at his name, but every man clawed at his breast in agony that he could not join his intrepid gang of criminals. And yet Guy, dispossessed and banished from his home was treated with nothing but emnity. Of course, he did not appear eager to grant himself any favour on that matter; perhaps Guy might be better loved if he could bear to attempt cordiality with those who offered it. He had never been the most...sociable of people.

"As will we all," he agreed, smile becoming harder, fiercer. "Few have taken more and received less punishment for it." He cocked an eyebrow. "No news at all? Somewhat strange, yes, although I do not doubt that Guy is unwilling to speak much of his past."

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran smiled at Nicholas's anticipation of the execution. Maybe after the outlaw's head graced a pike atop the castle, Nicholas would enjoy a bit of...hunting in Sherwood forest.

Unwilling... Perhaps. When speaking with the lieutenant, Bran had never seen the point in pursuing the topic of Gisborne's past. He hadn't suspected that Guy suffered disgrace at Hood's hands during their childhood. Why did Gisborne not speak of the injustice? Perhaps he felt ashamed that Hood had managed to leave him in such desperate straits. The lieutenant usually preferred conversation topics that focused on his strengths. Failing that, his enemies' weaknesses also made fine subjects, so long as they placed him in a positive light. Who could blame him?

The Cymry shrugged, maintaining a casual air. "Perhaps. I have had little chance to speak with him in private during my stay here thus far. After the excitement dies down, Gisborne will no doubt be amenable to a round of drinks at the Trip. He will deserve a few tankards after the capture last night." Bran grinned as he remembered the thrill of combat. Hopefully the rest of Hood's merry band of rats would put up an equal fight.

Bran winced then. "A shame he could not have played a larger role in the fight. If he and not his manservant had been present, I would have made an effort to be a part of the...endeavors in the dungeons. As it is, however, I would feel as if I were stealing his reward." A shame indeed.

[nico_debeaumont]

Nicholas laughed. "The Trip to Jerusalem? Good God, is that iniquitous hole still serving its swill to the poor bastards that darken its door? Tell me, has the ale improved at all, or does one still risk blindness with every mouthful?" He shook his head, smiling. "With Locksley already subdued, it might be the only place of entertainment left in Nottingham. Perhaps I ought not to remind myself of its negative qualities. Five years is a long time for an alehouse. I suppose by now it might be the finest establishment in Nottingham. And Guy has certainly earned his plaudits. I understand Locksley evaded capture for quite some time."

He cocked his head in response to Brian's next comment, and grinned. "I do not doubt that Guy is making up for missing the capture itself. And do not fret too hard about his absence from the fray. He practically gave me his blessing to apprehend the wolfshead on his behalf when we spoke at Locksley. I get the impression that he will appreciate better an uninterrupted session in the dungeons than the arrest itself. As you said, he has his own reward."

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran snorted and smiled at Nicholas's comments regarding Guy. "True enough. A man after my own heart."

After taking a bite of meat, Bran returned to the topic of the inn. "Was the Trip to Jerusalem Inn really that rowdy?" The place hadn't seemed as disreputable as other inns the Cymry had occupied. "It must have changed; I have seen far worse inns. It does seem to be the most...entertaining in Nottingham town, however." He must remember not to set fire to this tavern. If, as Nicholas said, the shire would fall into the doldrums of law and order without the outlaws about, Bran would need a reliable place of amusement. The clientele usually proved easy marks, too.With any luck, however, the Sheriff and the Black Knights' plans to take back the nation would provide enough diversion.

"Its clientele could be a bit more interesting, however," Bran continued after a gulp of wine. "It was there that I met our good friend James of Taversall." He smirked, cocking his brows to hint at his true feelings toward the man. "Apparently he lives nearby. Unfortunately, he took a keen dislike to me the moment he laid eyes on me." His smirk grew to a grin as he added, "I can't imagine why; he sympathizes with the king and crusaded with him, so one would assume that we would get on splendidly."

[nico_debeaumont]

Nicholas gave a smile. "Not rowdy, per se. I am a little...particular when it comes to my drink. Even the finest quickly sours if it is poorly stored and carelessly served. I had little faith that the staff at the place made any effort to avoid either pitfall. With luck it has fallen into different hands." He thought for a second. "And employed an entirely new workforce."

Nico couldn't help but snigger at the face Sir Brian pulled when he spoke of Sir James. "He told me you were insane. Apparently he fought with the religious orders over there. I could certainly tell some of their piety rubbed off onto him." Nico assumed that Brian would know what he meant by 'over there'. "I sincerely doubt he feels the true thirst for combat as do we. Perhaps there is a little of the zealot in the man. You know the type; praying ferverently for the souls he has cut down in battle, instead of being glad that he bested them at all. And he does live nearby; there's a village called Teversal not far that he owns. But do not pretend that you are cut so deeply by his distaste for you. He was rather preoccupied with you and your madness, even before he could point you out to me. What on Earth did you do to the man, to unsettle him so much?"

[bran_ap_cadwgan]

Bran snorted in amusement at Nicholas's description of the inn's staff and drink. True, the ale could never hope to match that found in taverns that wealthy clientele frequented, but it did come at a far lower cost. Not that Bran worried much over price; he could usually...convince the barkeeper or serving wench to top off his tankard for free. Who wouldn't give few rounds of drink in exchange for a guarantee that their throat would stay remain where it normally resided and their inn would see the light of the morrow and not that of an inferno?

The Cymry couldn't help but laugh as Nicholas related James's impression of him. Excellent! The Ffreinc's obsession with Bran meant he feared the mercenary. Bran grinned at the thought of James tossing and turning on his cot as nightmares of spear-wielding Cymry haunted his sleep.

"Yes, he certainly seemed the type for religious life. Though he holds land, he still dresses as a commoner. He acts little better, I might add." He shook his head in disappointment. "He may call himself a knight, but, as you say, he would rather pray over corpses than make his enemies join them."

Bran let his gaze unfocus past Nicholas, a smirk of enjoyment curling the Cymry's lip. "I can only guess as to why he thinks me mad, though." His eyes slid back to meet Nicholas's. "I was sitting with a few of the locals, perfectly content with their company and that of my tankard, when he barged in," Bran said, only half attempting to appear innocent. "The moment he came within a few paces of me, he appeared ready to strike me! I made mundane conversation, speaking of hunting and the local politics, but he never lowered his guard. Why, when I proffered my hand, he refused to take it!" Bran's look of mock surprise lasted only an instant before the mocking glint returned to his eyes as he continued, "I only taunted him a bit, and he had only a sliver of a reason to suspect I would draw my blade on him." He shrugged. "I could hardly resist with such an excitable mark before me."

[nico_debeaumont]

Ready to strike, indeed. Nicholas grinned. He knew horseshit when he smelled it. "You are a very bad man," he informed Brian, without bothering to straighten his face. Even if he did, surely his companion would not be fooled; "to tease an old soldier so." Not that he gave a tinker's damn for injured feelings on the part of either man. Unless it was entertaining enough to discuss. If a knight of England had lost his nerve as far even letting himself be cowed by the (admittedly somewhat rambunctious, if memory served) sports of another, perhaps all he required was a little further prodding to stir his blood and restore his previous vigour. If there had been any. On the other hand of course, it might accelerate the collapse of his social composure altogether. Either he would capitulate entirely (and in that case, Nicholas would merely have expedited the inevitable) or he would be dragged from his doldrums into a true man once more. After all, Nico was somewhat indebted to him for the loan of a weapon last night. It did not do to fail to repay such assistance. Looking around, Nicholas pulled a face. "I do not see him now," he commented. "It seems there is precious little entertainment in here this morning. I must own, however, that I am glad that he was feeling too delicate to participate in last night's excitement. Without his disinterest, I would have been forced to fight with those abominations the castle guards seem to call swords. At least his weapon is well kept, if not his fervour for the fight."