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

[not_a_maid]

Marian was far from happy this morning after barely any sleep the night before. After seeing Robin beaten and taken to the dungeons she had other things on her mind than getting enough sleep so she could be present at the Sheriff's celebration this morning. She knew he would be happy and she knew this would only make her mood this morning worse. She had hoped to skip the brunch of course but it seemed Vaizey had other ideas when he sent for her that morning, a guard rudely bringing her from her wishful planning with a loud bang at her door

[nico_debeaumont]

Good God, his head ached. He'd woken soon after dawn, before even a servant came to rouse him, despite retiring extremely late. The hours of darkness were barely longer than the daylight this time of year and still he had not found his bed until the sky had already begun to pale. Perhaps he should have slept in Nottingham, but there had been enough strange beds for him in the last year, and the floor of a tent for the five before that. The extra discomfort was an acceptable trade for the luxury of waking in his home

[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

[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

[cath_arundel]

Catherine entered the great hall alone. Her brother was otherwise engaged and didn't have the time to attend the brunch and of that she was glad. She had tried to hide her excitement when he brought her the news this morning, but she couldn't stop a small smile from forming on her lips when he had told her. There were letters to be written, things to be arranged, matters that didn't interest her one bit. Geoffrey could worry about all the details, she didn't care to do so.

It was also quite interesting how her brother was absolutely beside himself with grief and how she felt nothing.

He had made her wear a black dress however. She has opted for a red one earlier, but Geoffrey had told her that that wasn't appropriate because apparently she "was in mourning". Catherine did how she was told, because she was sure that her younger brother would write her father about it if she had refused. The little tattle-tail.Some eyes were on her as she made her way to a vacant chair at the head table, but she pretended not to notice. Playing coy

[princejohn1193]

John was less than impressed with Nottingham Castle. First there were the substandard bedchambers; the sad, drafty excuse for a living quarter that Vaizey had given him barely allowed him room to gesture magnificently, and why were there only two unadorned pillows? Was there a pillow shortage? Not to mention that he was woken three hours too early by Cora , the diseased chambermaid who apparently would not rest until she infected him with her pox, as she banged about in the fireplace

[cath_arundel]

There was little else to do apart from sitting in her chair and wondering when this trip was actually going to start being fun. This was one of the first times since her arrival here where she might actually enjoy herself. Alas. It seemed like that was not going to happen

[princejohn1193]

It was not the first time that John had mistaken one woman for another; in fact, there was even a time where, after a few drinks, John had mistaken a particularly shapely column for a woman. But this . . . this was the first time that he was pleased to have made an error. She was just as ravishing as the Lady Marian, albeit catlike where the former was angelic. Really, was that a purr in her voice? Nottingham may not have satisfactory pillows, but it was near bursting with adorable women. And this one even knew who he was-he doubted “Your Highness” had ever been said more sultrily

[elle_isabelle]

Isabella kept an eye out for either Lucatz or Guy as she made her way down to the Great Hall. It was slow going, as she had only the vaguest memories of the trip the evening before and had to keep going halfway down corridors before realizing that they wouldn't take her in the direction that she wanted. Once she finally figured where she was, she was able to detour to the courtyard, but there was no sign of either man. Hoping that she had not woken too late to see Lucatz off, Isabella turned back towards the Great Hall

[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

[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

[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

[elizabethofclun]

Elizabeth descended the stairs that led to the Great Hall, eyes still red from crying (or rather, not crying) over the news. She'd let herself sniffle a little after Lady Isabella left for breakfast, but not for long- she was scared and worried, but she was also hungry, and she knew that she wasn't going to have an opportunity to eat like this for awhile. First she'd found her way back to the room where she'd changed the evening before- not an easy task, as she only had the barest idea of where it was and how to get there. Once she did, she changed back into her old clothes, left her loaned dress folded neatly on a table next to the door, and left for the Great Hall

[hilla_maid]

Hilla had sneaked out to the Great Hall under the pretext of 'checking that everything is as it should be', while really jus wanting to take a look at what some of the ladies were wearing. It didn't hurt to have a much-needed break from the hot kitchen, either, so she was in no hurry to return to her duties. She spotted Lady Marian immediately; she was always well-dressed

[elizabethofclun]

Elizabeth started as someone spoke behind her. The speaker was a small brunette girl, also clad in servants' clothes. She was also smiling, whch would seem to indicate that she wasn't about to tattle and send Elizabeth back to the kitchen in disgrace. Instead, she merely looked curious.

Elizabeth smiled in return. "Probably. I'm just trying to find out where my lord is- I thought I might be returning to Clun with him. I'm Elizabeth," she added, "a servant in the manor in Clun. My lord sent me here to serve at the party, as a favour to the Sheriff."

[hilla_maid]

"Wait here," Hilla said and rushed to a larger table across the room. When she returned, she held out her hand in which she had a spicy apple tart, about the size of her palm. "Here, just in case your lord finds you before you have time to go get something better to eat at the kitchen." She waited for Elizabeth to take it. "It's really good, I didn't make it," she giggled.

She was glad to be talking to somebody who didn't know her and who could get her mind off the upsetting discussion she'd had with Lucas earlier in the morning. Now that she looked at Elizabeth closer, she could almost swear the girl was teary-eyed, but it could be that she was just tired. Hilla wasn't going to say anything about that, as she knew she probably didn't look any better.

"Clun, eh? I'm not sure I know... where is that?"

[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?