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Post by ``Marian Fitzwalter on Jul 30, 2009 18:52:49 GMT -8
As of late, Marian had found herself despairing something fierce of the lifestyle she was living. Oh, it wasn't too bad, when she looked at the grand scheme of things. She was free from the tyrannies of nobility, she was unmarried, and she was alive. But that was pretty much all that she found positive. She was living in the middle of a forest with a bunch of unruly men. The disguise that Marian had been so proud of in the beginning had become a bane, and the sham was getting to her. She hated living a lie. Hated having to squish her breasts to nigh on nothing and then live with the discomfort day in and day out. Her life was, Marty had found, was largely a nuisance.
Why, just the other week Marian had been forced to sneak away from the band and hide away, suffering her montlies in peace and solitude. The others had most likely noticed that she'd left, and made note of where she was headed, but as far as she could tell, they hadn't followed her. A good thing, too, because Marian wasn't sure she could explain away the blood. If she said that it was a mere wound, they'd demand that Tuck take a look at it. And the truth couldn't come out, of course: being a woman and being an outlaw really didn't mix.
She could see it already. Will standing in front of her, jaw slackened. 'Jesu, but what's wrong with you, Marty?' She'd look at him, pretty as you please, and answer in her most solemn voice. 'I have a rare disease, you see. It periodically surfaces and causes me to bleed from my privates.' And he'd be horrified to realize that he'd handled such a defiled human. The look on his face, of course, would be priceless.
Marty smiled. Will probably wasn't all that oblivious, but it never hurt to dream. Those were hers, and hers alone. No one else could see them or steal them from her, and that was something she valued beyond title or wealth. Privacy, freedom, independence, the ability to make her own descisions. In fact, this very treasurance of such values was what had brought Marian to the very forest in which she now stood. Well, stood was perhaps not the best of words for the occasion. Stood implied that Marty was on both feet, her legs were straight, and she was upright. Marty was on two feet, but they weren't on the ground. Her legs were bent at the knees, and her back was bowed slightly to encourage balance. Marty herself was in a tree, overseeing one of the few roads that meandered through the Sherwood forest.
This particular road led away from Huntington Castle and to the wondrous and fair city of Nottingham, home to the wondrous and fair Sheriff of Nottingham, whom Marian and her fellow outlaws frequently danced with. The road itself was one of the less traveled roads, as it went a little deeper in the infested forest than most cared to risk. Marty, however, had been stationed her, and she was going to crouch up in that tree come high love or money. Well, if money came, she'd relieve it from it's caretaker's person and plant it on her own. All in the line of duty, of course. But until such a thing came, Marian was left in a tree, waiting and watching.
[word count] 571 [our mood] jubilant [our notes] ye might recognize some of the things in here, aye? And there, that should be plenty of fodder for your muse; location, some background info, la di da.
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Post by Gabriel Camus on Jul 30, 2009 19:15:32 GMT -8
Gabriel wasn't in a very good mood. That wasn't all that surprising, considering it was day time and the fact that he was who he was. Gabe wasn't in good moods often. Especially not in the day, since he had nothing to do during the day. Sure, he could wander around town and people-watch, but more often then not some stranger would come over and start talking with him. He supposed they were just trying to be friendly, but such things bothered him to no end. Why couldn't people just leave him alone? Talking with people bothered him. Were he the last man on earth he'd be quite content. He didn't need nor did he want other people around. However, living in a small town as he did, people were always trying to be friendly.
Which is exactly why he'd come here, to Sherwood forest in Nottinghamshire. People rarely wandered around the forest, since no one knew exactly what could be lurking behind the many trees. People were so paranoid. Truth be told if a madman was about and wanted to go around murdering people, he'd likely head straight to town, not wait around in a forest for someone to happen about him, when that could be days, even weeks. People were only afraid of the forest if they were afraid of being alone, something Gabriel was not. Heck, he'd been alone all his life. That was the way he liked it. So whenever he decided he wanted to get away from people, he came here to the forest and just wandered around.
However, despite the fact that right now he was on his own with no one trying to talk to him, he was still in a bad mood. He blamed it on the pounding headache. Gabriel did his best to ignore it, though, and just kept walking through the forest, not paying much attention to his surroundings. Really all he was doing was making sure he didn't suddenly walk into a tree. He doubted that would improve his mood at all. Someone could easily sneak up on him right now...or someone would think so, anyways. Gabriel wasn't too easy to sneak up on, even when he didn't think there was anyone else around. It was rare that he lowered his guard, even if at the moment he looked completely at ease, with his hands stuffed in his pockets and his stance slightly slouched, his head bowed as he watched the ground.
He didn't notice the woman disguised in a man overhead, even as he walked past the tree she was sitting in._________________________________________ Words: 452 Mood: Headache D= Notes: Hope that many words is good enough for you, slave. [/size]
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Post by ``Marian Fitzwalter on Jul 30, 2009 20:33:20 GMT -8
Surprise, surprise, Marian would have said aloud, if it wouldn't have given her away. Why she needed to avoid giving herself away was one reason and one reason alone: a person had come walking down the road.
He was a funny sort of man, Marty decided in the first instances that she observed him. He had a quality to his stride and bearing that invited a closer look, and the angle of his shoulders betold something intriguing. Not that it mattered, because, intriguing or not, Marian intended to relieve him of all his valuble wordly possesions.
With a swift, fluid motion she unbent her legs and half-stood. Her cloak slid down and once again covered her, the sub-dued forest colors serving their purpose to allow her to blend in.
It was a practiced hand that swung down and dropped the rest of the body down to the ground, landing with a minute, muffled thump that was lost to the lush, overgrown grass. Marian was worried if the person heard her or not. Sound traveled not at all in Sherwood, dense as the forest was, and she hadn't been loud enough for it to carry any distance.
"G'day, Sir!" she hailed the man jovially, putting on her best 'hail fellow, well met' face, which consisted of a blinding smile and a relaxed posture. "What brings you this far into our fair and wondrous forest?"
It must be noted that Marty hadn't drawn her bow. The outlaws mostly preferred for their victims to permit the the liberation of their valubles with some cooperation, and violence was usually avoided. However, if the man resisted, she'd bring out the willow strapling in a hot second and notch an arrow fast as a bonny bird. Not up to Robin's speed, of course, but quick enough.
[word count] 295 [our mood] un-distracted =D [due credits] "the poison glen" by clannad [our notes]sorry for taking so long - I got distracted with making the pretty picture above!
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Post by Gabriel Camus on Jul 30, 2009 20:56:09 GMT -8
Gabriel heard the muffled thump of a body dropping to the forest floor behind him and debated on whether to turn, whether to confront the person, but decided against it. He was in no mood to talk, what with his headache and all, and much preferred to believe that the person behind him planned on leaving him alone. He would have been happier had he noticed the person up in the tree, but it was too late now. At least he'd heard them hit the ground. He took pride in that, since he knew most people wouldn't have. He just continued walking, his ice blue eyes on the ground below, his dark hair casting his face into shadows.
He slowly came to a stop as the person called out to him, sighing aloud as he did so. Slowly he turned to face the person, noting that it was a man of medium height, wearing all green and browns. He himself was wearing dark trousers and a simple white shirt. He figured the man's clothing weren't so much designed for comfort as blending in with the surroundings. Gabriel fixed his dark blue eyes on the man, looking completely unamused and not bothering to return the cheerful greeting. Why should he force himself with pleasantries? There really was no reason for it.
Gabriel sighed loudly as the man asked him what he was doing. "Nosey, aren't you? How is what I am doing any of your business?" He asked and shook his head. "Hmm, let me see. Oh, I know, it isn't. So why don't you shut your mouth and leave me the hell alone?" He said, his voice cold. He never did like people trying to stick their noses in his business. Maybe he was a little more mean than usual, but it's not like he cared. He was in a bad mood and if what he said made the stupid man leave him the hell alone faster, then all the better. He didn't turn his back on the man yet, however. Just remained where he stood, facing the man and continuing to look at ease, keeping his hands in his pockets, despite the glare he was giving the other man._________________________________________ Words: 386 Mood: Not bad, though I still have a bit of a headache Notes: Stop taking forever to post, Slave! *grabs whips* xD [/size]
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Post by ``Marian Fitzwalter on Jul 30, 2009 21:06:12 GMT -8
"Hmm, let me see. Oh, I know, it isn't. So why don't you shut your mouth and leave me the hell alone?"
Oh, it was one of those cantankerous souls this time. Ah, well. Marian was perfectly okay with dealing with such men. She'd done so for most of her life, and did so on a regular basis.
"A fiesty wee one we has here, methinks," Marian said, not exactly talking to him, not exactly talking to herself. Mostly she was just talking for the sake of talking.
"Well, then," she added, her voice still chipper, "Since you've gone and said a bad word, I'm going to have to give you your due."
A small movement allowed for Marian to bring out her bow, and even as she swung it around she was reaching for an arrow and notching it to the bow. Marty held the weapon steadily and pointed at the man's chest.
"I'm actually not best inclined to deal with your disposition today, kind sir, and so it'd best please me if you relieved yourself of your valubles and then went on your merry way." Smile, and keep the bow level.
[word count] 188 [our mood] happpyyyyyyyy [due credits] "the poison glen" by clannad [our notes]you're lucky you got this many! Usually I take days to post posts!
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Post by Gabriel Camus on Jul 30, 2009 21:22:27 GMT -8
Gabriel just watched the man, still looking unamused. His head was still pounding and he longed to find a stream and dunk his head in some cold water. However, it seemed this man didn't plan on just leaving, or letting him leave easily. How annoying. Even as the man drew out a bow and knocked and arrow, Gabe didn't flinch or anything. He just continued to glare. Some people had once told him that his glare unnerved people. If that was so then all the better. If it did nothing on this man then that was just too bad.
"Really? You're a thief, are you?" He let a smirk come to his lips and finally drew his hands out of his pockets. "Well, you dirty old thief, how about this? I don't feel much like killing anyone at the moment, so if you turn around and just leave, I'll let you go. Sure, you won't get any valuables, but you'll leave with your life. I think that's a good deal. Otherwise I can't promise that you will." He said, his voice cold yet serious. The temperature around them would suddenly begin to plummet- a warning which, sadly, not many people noticed. He hoped this man would notice it and do as he said. He really didn't feel much like killing someone, or even hurting anyone. Plus he didn't really want to accidentally give himself frostbite if it came to that._________________________________________ Words: 258 Mood: Eh Notes: Perhaps the sheriff should come now? xD [/size]
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Post by ``Marian Fitzwalter on Jul 30, 2009 21:34:14 GMT -8
"Indeed?" Marian said, maintain the cheerful facade. "And how do you propose to do that? Pull a sword out of your arse and hew me down?" She laughed at the thought.
"I think not. Now, I'll give you to the count of three, and if you haven't dropped your money pouch and headed off I'll be disposed to stick an arrow into you."
She paused, thoughtful. "You ever see what an arrow does to a man's body? Particularily an arrow shot from a longbow?" Slight pause there, for dramatic effect, one would hope. "Skewers them clean through and goes through the man behind him. I think that my arrow can go faster than your arse-sword."
"Now then, one..." Even as she began to count, Marian felt the rumble of hooves thunder through the forest and carry all the way up the road. Horses were coming, and presumably men that rode them. Well dad blem it, looked like there was going to be a change of plans.
[word count] 163 [our mood] fizzly [due credits] "the poison glen" by clannad [our notes] that would be a good idea; I'd hate for Marian to die to soon into the game xD on second thought, we could, of course, let her die, and then have the death drag on and on and on, but that would be boring. and I'm wondering, would it be fun in Gabe found out Marty was actually Marian?
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Post by Gabriel Camus on Jul 30, 2009 21:50:32 GMT -8
In reply to the man's words, Gabriel just smiled a cruel smile. Pull a sword out of his behind? Right. He wouldn't need a sword. He could stop the man's heart solely by touching his chest. All Gabe had to do was send ice into the man's chest and the heart would freeze and cease to beat. Sure, it would leave him with frostbite on his hands, which was rather painful he had to admit, but he could live with a bit of frostbite. He had plenty of times before, after all. Plus he had a few daggers hidden on his person. Really, it was actually funny. He had no money or valuables on him. So why didn't he just say that, one might ask? Because even if he had had money and valuables on him he wouldn't have given it to the man. He was not about to cower at this man's feet and tell him he had no money on him just to escape the threat of death. He was maybe a little overly confident in his abilities to dodge the arrow, but still.
"I won't need a sword to kill you." He said coldly, waiting for the man to begin counting as the temperature continued to plummet. Suddenly he heard the sound of horse hooves hitting the ground and frowned, making the temperature stop cooling as he waited for their new guests to arrive. "Ah, too bad. Seems I might not have a chance to make you eat dirt, after all. What a shame, I was looking forward to that thought." He said, sighing and then just waiting._________________________________________ Words: 288 Mood: Eh xD Notes: Yeah, I'd hate Gabriel to die too xD Shall we both control the sheriff? [/size]
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Post by ``Marian Fitzwalter on Jul 30, 2009 22:15:49 GMT -8
Snide, snide, snide, arrogant man. Martin was actually getting a little bit testy over the man's cool and detached demeanor. It wasn't like she'd had every intention of robbing him blind and leaving him for dead (though she had intended to rob him.)
Still, it was blokes like this that got under her skin and caused her temper to peak. Her temper was, Marian had found, rather uncontrollable. Try as she might, if it found a reason to rear it's ugly mug, then rise up it would.
But she was working with it. She had to, if she wanted to improve her lot. She angered far too easily to be of much use, though a part of her said rather firmly that that was a good thing. Another part wasn't so sure.
Still, as Marian and the man she had intended to rob waited for company to arrive, she wondered about the man. He seemed rather sure that he could kill her, and easily, to boot. She didn't like that. But her curiousity, as usual, was piqued. Maybe after she dealt with whatever was coming, she could question him. That was always fun.
Marian didn't have to wait long until her senses bore out into fruition. A rather large group of riders -- twelve, Marian guessed at first glance -- surged into view and plowed down the dirt road to approach them. They must have been surprised to see humans along this road, for the the horses faltered slightly before resuming their collected strides.
Marian instantly recognized who these riders were. "Bloody hell," she muttered, uttering the same profanity that she had earlier rediculed the man for saying. "Blast it."
It was the Sheriff of Nottingham, and his riders, out for another patrol. Of all the luck...
[word count] 291 [our mood] sleepy [due credits] "the poison glen" by clannad [our notes] that would be a good idea; I'd hate for Marian to die to soon into the game xD on second thought, we could, of course, let her die, and then have the death drag on and on and on, but that would be boring. and I'm wondering, would it be fun in Gabe found out Marty was actually Marian? just had another thought; the famed red-head temper against the freezing temperatures!!
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Post by Gabriel Camus on Jul 30, 2009 22:45:52 GMT -8
Gabriel still didn't move, just glared at him and waited. He stuffed his hands back in his pockets, ignoring how cold it was around them. Maybe it wasn't completely noticeable, he hadn't lowered it twenty degrees or anything, more like seven or eight degrees' lower. He doubted it was very noticeable, which was lucky for him. He wouldn't exactly have liked these new men that were coming to notice the drop in temperature and get suspicious. He may not care to show a man if it involves protecting himself, but he'd rather people passing by not know about it. It's not like all people could lower temperatures and create ice out of their hands. He was well aware that he wasn't exactly what most people would call 'normal'.
"Great. More people." He grumbled unhappily as he watched the men on their horses. Otherwise he just completely ignored them, barely even having glanced at them._________________________________________ Words: 166 Mood: Eh Notes: That could work <3 xD And you have to start controlling the sheriff, I have no idea how he acts xD I'll add stuff if I get ideas xD [/size]
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Post by ``Marian Fitzwalter on Jul 31, 2009 7:36:37 GMT -8
In all likely hood, Marian should have run. In fact, she'd thought about it, and had seriously considered high-tailing it out of there. Common sense and self preservation dictated that she mosey out of there before the Sheriff could grab hold of her. But, as Will would testify, she wasn't overly bright.
Still, it was the Sheriff, the very man in which all the outlaws of Sherwood were told to be wary of. Most were wary of the law keeping side of the Sheriff, of how he might capture them and toss them in to the dungeons, chop a hand or two off, hang them. Marian, too, was wary of that.
She was also wary of the Sheriff as a woman is to a man who's proven to be interested in her. In her previous life as the Lady Marian who had been sent to Nottingham, she and the Sheriff had had several encounters, none of which Marian had overly liked.
But, as her disguise had fooled the most feared outlaws in all of England, she trusted that it would hold steady for others. Whether she wanted to test that or not, however, was up for debate.
Sure, Robin had faced down th Sheriff and his men once, all by himself with naught but a bow and quiver, just to prove a point. But Robin was Robin, Will was Will and Marian was Marty.
And Marty was still new to the outlaw game, not even a year in. But such indescision was worthless when it came to it, because by the time she'd reached the descision to blaze, the party of riders were already upon them, the big beasts wrenched to a halt and set to prancing and pawing.
"What have we hear?" The leader asked, and the others guffawed. What had they here, indeed?
[word count] 299 [our mood] prettiful [due credits] "the poison glen" by clannad [our notes] I almost didn't have the Sheriff arrive in my post XD
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Post by Gabriel Camus on Jul 31, 2009 8:47:25 GMT -8
Gabriel didn't live too far from here, so he knew all about the outlaws and the little feud they had going with the sheriff of Nottinghamshire. He'd never been much interested in it until now. He kept his hands in his pockets as the twelve men came to a halt around him and the other man, the one who had wanted to rob him. He stayed silent, not really knowing what to do and instead just watching everyone. If the man was about to be sent to jail, then that was just too bad for him, wasn't it? Maybe it would teach him to choose his victims more carefully. Gabe himself had stolen from people a few times, whenever he felt it was necessary for his survival, but he'd never threatened anyone to give him all his money or he'd kill them. He only killed- or threatened to kill anyone that bothered him and wouldn't leave him alone. Like this man. However, it's not like he could kill the man while the sheriff of Nottingham was standing right there, watching.
"Do you need something, or are you just lost? Well, if it's the latter than just turn your fat ass around and keep on going up the road. It should bring you back to town. You'll know when you reach town because there will be signs and houses. You can't miss it." Gabriel said mockingly, keeping his hands stuffed in his pockets. He wasn't really sure why he was insulting the sheriff when he'd basically stopped the man from shooting at him, but still. He could tell just by looking at the sheriff that he didn't much like the man. Besides, he could handle himself, it's not like he'd needed the sheriff to stop the man from robbing him. Although...Gabe was just mean to virtually everyone, maybe that was why._________________________________________ Words: 333 Mood: Good Notes: So the only way Gabe will really care is if the sheriff starts hitting Marty- seeing someone getting abused pisses him off and he'd jump to her rescue, or if the sheriff starts trying to arrest him as well. Then he'd also get annoyed and get away and likely bring Marty with him. [/size]
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Post by ``Marian Fitzwalter on Jul 31, 2009 14:35:13 GMT -8
It was rather surprising when the other man spoke to the wolf of Nottingham in such condescending tones, but it also said something of the Sheriff himself. The man just didn't seem to endear himself to anyone at all.
The Sheriff was an elderly sort when you looked at it from a youngster's view (as Marian was doing so.) Fourtyish in age, wrinkles here and there, and a cool, reserved demeanor that served as mask in which to hide his emotions and reactions.
"Indeed...one would think that a fortified town such as fair Nottingham would not be easily missed," the Sheriff said in response to Marian's would-be victim, and the tone he used made it clear that he thought the boy to be foolish and rather childish.
"We'll require that you join us, of course. You," he said, plainly indicating Martin, "for the grave offense of banditry in the king's forest, a hanging shall suffice. And you," switching the point of focus over to the brunette that stood afoot, "a quiet night in the dungeons will do."
His voice was flatline as he delivered his speech. "Round them, up," he ordered to his men. And in the moment, Marian knew she was going to have to bolt.
[word count] 203 [our mood] fantabulous! [due credits] "the poison glen" by clannad [our notes] no reason for abuse, so they're both gonna be arrested! =D and do what you like with the men, just leave the Sheriff alone; he'll be quick to head off if his men are incapacitated...*grins*
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Post by Gabriel Camus on Jul 31, 2009 14:58:53 GMT -8
Gabriel couldn't say that it didn't annoy him that the old man didn't seem at all offended by his insults and mocking tone. He would have been much happier had the man gotten angry and yelled, maybe insulted him back. But no, the man didn't seem to really care at all, and that annoyed him, though you wouldn't be able to see just by looking at him, not unless you knew what to look for. His fists clenched in his pockets, barely noticeable unless someone happened to be looking at his pants, and the temperate directly around him began to freeze, unnoticeable to the others for now, besides that men that walked towards him.
"Don't you have anything better to do then randomly throw strangers in the dungeons just for being a little mean to you?" He asked, his tone still mocking. As two men came towards him, the paused as they felt the sudden drop in temperature around him. "Lucky for you stupidity isn't a crime or you'd be thrown in the dungeons yourself." Gabriel then made the temperature all around them colder, dropping the temperature by at least ten degrees. It was pretty much impossible to ignore. "Now sheriff, if you and your men leave right now, you'll all leave with your lives. I suggest you leave me and..." He paused, glancing at the man that had tried to rob him. He sighed "Him alone." He said, his voice cold. He ignored the men closest to him, the one that had been about to grab him but were hesitating now after feeling the drop in temperature. He had no idea why he was defending the man that had been about to rob him and that had threatened to shoot him, but he was.________________________________________ Words: 315 Mood: Good Notes: Sounds good =) Just a warning to them, for now xD [/size]
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Post by ``Marian Fitzwalter on Jul 31, 2009 15:17:55 GMT -8
The wolf did not seem overly affronted to have been spoken to so by such a peasant, byt Marian herself found herself a little miffed. The man had referred to her as if she was some burden to be lugged about. That, and he was still singing the same old song, leave-now-and-keep-your-life-or-perish. This did, however, serve to amuse the Sheriff some, though wether or not the amusement was feigned or not remained to be seen.
"Sadly, to just up and continue about our way and leave the two of you behind would be a very grevious mistake on my part. What would my lord the king say, should he discover that the Lord High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, the man he placed in charge to oversee the law, if he was neglecting his duty to king and country? Nae, you shall accompany us to the castle."
The Sheriff was, of course, sitting astride his horse a good deal away from where the percieved oncoming arrest would come. It wasn't like he was going to dirty his hands for one so insignificant as two random men in the forest. Oh, he'd question them, of course, and particularily her, who had been "caught in the act," as it were. Anything to find Robin Hood.
"Actually, good sir," Marian found her mouth uttering, "if you don't mind, I'm of the mind to wash myself of this situation. Farewell and adieu, as they say!." And he was moving, heading for the man nearest to her. She wasn't as strong as these men, mayhaps, but she did have a few things on her side: leverage, and the coveted element of surprise.
It was not hard thing, really, to bowl into one of the soldiers and send him reeling over. They weren't very good soldiers, and they hadn't been taught by a real soldier and a professional wrestler.
[word count] 305 [our mood] oogaley moogaley [due credits] "the poison glen" by clannad [our notes] gawd, but the man's a conceited little s***! Oh well, that's why I hate him XD *cheers for Marty*
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