the argument of living [closed]

[guy_of_gisborne]

Who: Lady Marian, Lady Isabella, and Sir Guy
What: Inevitably, they had to all bump into each other
Where: Nottingham castle
When: October 2, after dinner

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[elle_isabelle]

Isabella lingered at the dinner table. She'd given up trying to catch Guy's eye, or hoping for vaguely interesting conversation, so now she just pushed the last bits of her dinner around on her plate, waiting for him to leave.

The castle was oppressive, confusing, and boring. Anyone she was remotely interested in spending time with was busy; everyone else had to be coaxed into having a normal conversation, which she suspected was due partly to the Sheriff's influence and partly to her family connections. She had been mildly excited when news of Hood's escape spread through the castle, but that had mostly served to put everyone into deeply foul moods. Even greater reason for she and Guy to leave for Locksley, which he had promised two days ago but still showed no signs of doing.

As soon as she saw Guy rise, she pushed back her own chair. He was gone before he saw her stand, and it wasn't until he had reached the door of the hall that she caught up with him. "Guy," she said, "I would like to speak with you a moment."

[guy_of_gisborne]

Isabella emerged out of the corner of his eye. She'd been so quiet, and he so consumed by his thoughts, that he'd forgotten she was there at dinner. He nodded his head, motioning his assent, and proceeded down the hall.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked warily, eyeballing her as they walked. He doubted she wanted his company for its own sake. They hadn't fighting, but he couldn't say that their co-existence lately had been overly affectionate, and with the weight of the day's problems pressing on him, he was in a mood for business.

[elle_isabelle]

At Guy's nod, Isabella fell in step beside him. There was no warmth to his words, but he didn't snap at her either. Isabella would take it; she hardly expected--or desired--more. "Nothing's wrong," she replied dispassionately. "I wanted to know when we were going to Locksley. Or if plans had changed," she added after a brief pause, unsure if the outlaw's escape meant that Guy would be required in Nottingham longer. Though even if that were the case it didn't mean she had to stay.

[guy_of_gisborne]

He grunted at her remark, allowed himself to relax slightly, until she nagged about Locksley. It was a good idea, certainly; as his sister, she should see his estate. Later.

"Things have changed," he answered plainly. "I can't go now; it wouldn't look well." It would look like a dog tucking its tail between its legs and hiding, after he'd lost Hood. Which was, certainly, what he felt like doing, and what he was doing right now, if he were prepared to admit it to himself. He knew he needed the advantage that good food and sleep would bring him, but he was already eager to begin the next day's search.

"Why are you asking?" he queried, once again, subtly anxious. He didn't see at all why right now she cared about visiting Locksley, when more important things were happening, such as Hood running free. Guy hoped she was just making conversation for its own sake.

[elle_isabelle]

Isabella carefully avoided smiling when Lady Marian sidestepped Guy's question and replied to her instead. Her humor was short-lived, however; at the word 'permission' she glanced sharply at Guy. "You must seek permission to go to the fair?" she asked, returning her gaze to Lady Marian. "How very . . . protective of your guardian." That reminded her; she still didn't know the other woman's situation--who exactly her guardian was.

"Well, if you are given leave to go," Isabella continued, not entirely able to keep the sarcasm out of her voice, "I would very much enjoy your company." The sentiment was genuine, as was her smile. Provided Marian did not mean for her to act as some sort of chaperone on her trip with Guy.

[guy_of_gisborne]

He recovered from the whiplash quickly enough to realize he'd just been passed over. He hadn't anticipated the two of them ganging up on him, but now he wondered if this was something Vaizey had planned. What was clear now was that he'd done something to offend Marian, though he wasn't clear what that was.

"I'm sure something could be arranged sometime," he answered dryly, struggling to remain charming and keep the irritation out of his voice. It wasn’t Isabella’s business what Marian’s arrangement was, and her assumption of righteous anger had no real place in this discussion. He felt Isabella's eyes on him, and refused to acknowledge it, or her question. "I do not want to keep you from," going with my sister instead of me no, "Getting to know each other

[not_a_maid]

"I must, yes

[elle_isabelle]

Guy was clearly trying to get back the ground he'd lost, and Isabella was happy to grant it too him, but the vagueness of his reply was irritating. At least he seemed to be avoiding having the three of them go together as much as she was. Marian's response was interesting, and seemed to indicate that Guy had some sort of say in whether she went or not. Curious.

Isabella couldn't help but return Marian's grin. They would have a lot to talk about indeed. She turned to Guy. "For your sake I hope Lady Marian is given permission--unless you want us gossiping about you under your nose." Her words were only teasing, though it was quite fun to rub in the fact that Guy was going to be a major topic of conversation between them--how could he expect otherwise? The words had just rolled off her tongue but felt a little awkward once spoken--their interactions until now had mostly been formal and careful.