Robin & Marian

[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert was lucky enough that the young boy was smart enough to run away while everyone's attention was focused on 'Robin'. While slowly twirling the arrow in his hand, he made sure to wait until the guards charged at him before opening fire. One of the three guards got shot in the leg, the other found him self pinned to the wooden wall behind him; while the third had made it close enough for a bit of a tussle to take place before Robert managed to get away.

Robert had only gotten away thanks to the local bar tender who offered him a place to lay low until darkness fell over the city. Robert spent the rest of the afternoon in one of the 'working women's' bedroom, watching from the windows as more guards then he could count flooded the city in hopes to be the one who found him.

Once darkness fell, Robert went below where as always he was offered a free drink. Now, Robert might not be a fan of how the working class spend all their few coin in a bar and then bitched about not having money for food but a free drink wasn't something he could turn down. Besides, he liked standing in the crowd and knowing that not one of these men would turn him him.

[Marian Cooper]

Marian managed to find a bow during her 'adventure' in the lower town, and even managed not to find any trouble of her own. Since the city was suddenly filled with guards hunting fruitlessly for the bandit, that was no wonder, as only a madman would try to rob her when guards were running to and fro searching vainly for anyone 'suspicious'. She didn't have to wonder if he got away, either; as she returned to the castle later in the day, it was obvious that they were still on the hunt, and she managed to slip inside without the Sheriff noticing her, as he was too busy barking orders at the men still gathered at the castle.

Later that night, she found herself restless, and her eyes fell on her new bow devilishly. It would be such a shame not to take the thing out for a test run, it was just begging to be used. She bit her lip, she hadn't been planning on going out, so she hadn't pilfered any clothes from the stable boy today...it would be too risky to try to steal clothes and sneak out now. So instead, she changed into the plainest dress she owned, a light tan dress with a dark brown bodice, and after examining herself in the mirror, she decided the ensemble needed a final touch if she was to pass for a common woman, and she threw on the cloak she was holding onto for Robin...she didn't think he'd mind.

After tucking a dagger into each boot, she picked up her bow and quiver, and took her chance to sneak down from her tower, deftly sneaking around the patrols with the greatest of ease, until things went terribly, terribly wrong. She had just dodged the notice of a pair of guards and slipped through a corridor that wasn't patrolled...only that it was. Marian just barely managed to duck back into the shadows of the corner, and was about to head back, except that the guards she'd just dodged around had changed direction, and were headed back towards her. Of course, the Sheriff had changed their patrols in lieu of Robin's appearance in town today. She didn't think there was any way she was going to get out of this.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

With so many guards out and about the locals were starting to get drunken. Robert had been in the tavern for a little bit now, watching as the guards keep walking by and the men only stayed int he tavern in hopes to avoid the guards until they had build up more liquid courage. This was going to a great ending to his night! He could see it now, a bunch of drunks pouring out of the tavern all at one time and stumbling over them selves and the guards trying to herd them all together! It was why he wasn't leaving! There was two things you did not walk away from; a willing woman and a bunch of drunks!

Just as that though crossed hi mind a few of the guards entered the room, and Robert ducked under the bar and quickly moved back up the steps. Because that was something you walked away from. He bounced up the steps and into the room he had been using, before going to the window. Knowing the guards would ask to look around; he was not hanging around to say hullo. Climbing on to the roof, he walked over to the edge and reached over to take old of the castle wall. Pulling himself up he though his leg over and sat here for a moment before rolling off the wall so he was ducked low on the battlement. It did not take long for a alone idiot guard to head his way ......

Shortly later; Robert was dressed in the guard's clothing and walked down the halls. As long as he avoided light and no one saw his face everyone assumed he was just one of the boys! This was almost fun! As he turned down one walk, another guard came up beside him and started walking down the hall with him. Robert didn't know what sort of men the sheriff hired; but how smart could they be not to look to see who was walking beside them? As they arrived at an bend the hall, Robert noticed two other guard walking their way. Once of them was bound to notice his face which meant he needed to give up the game, or loose the game. Pity; it had been such fun.

As he passed by a window; he gave the man walking beside him a hard push so the guard went out the window. It wasn't a long drop, he'd live and it gave Robert one less man to deal with. Removing the helmet as the other two guard rushed him he tossed it out the window too. Pulling the cross bow that all guards carried up he fired the already loaded shot, hitting one of them in the shoulder and then using the cross bow to hit the other one where the helmet did not cover his face. He stood there for a quick moment, before looking around and that was when he noticed he wasn't alone. "That's mine!" He assured her as she was wearing his cloak, however about that time the warning bell started ringing; and it was time for him to go. "Well damn! The flying man out the window gave me away."

[Marian Cooper]

Marian bit her lip as she heard the metal boots of the guards drawing nearer, and pressed herself back into the alcove, hoping she could hide in the virgin's shadow. She knew that she wasn't in much danger if she were caught; she wouldn't be locked up or hanged or anything, but she really did hate having to explain herself to the Sheriff. Lately he kept hinting at how she 'owed' him for always having to bail her out of trouble; she didn't need to ask what he wanted in return.

But, it seemed that tonight she wouldn't be able to get off the hook, as two of the guards were now close enough for her to see them...as one of them shoved the other through the nearest window. Her eyes widened slightly as the 'guard' then stripped off his helmet and used it to beat off the two guards, and she recognized the man in question. Of course. She raised her eyebrows at him when he noticed that she was wearing his cloak. "I was just coming to return it to you," she answered sweetly, just as the warning bell started clanging. Yeah, that could happen when you went around tossing men out windows.

"I would say come and get it, but it sounds like you ought to get going," she pointed out, smiling smugly. This could be exactly the distraction she needed to get out of the castle, while the guards were busy chasing Robin around.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert glanced down the hall behind him where he knew men were about to show their faces. He shot her a quick glare, knowing he did not have time to get the cloak off her and if she screamed then he'd really be found out then. "I'll be back for it." He muttered as he started off down the hall before darting into another room. It was not until he was climbing out the window, and into a tree to jump down tot he ground that he wondered why she was wearing.

Smothering a curse he knew she was about to head out onto the town. Really! Girls who though they were men were too much trouble for him! The town was a bit on the dumb side tonight with as many drunks that were hiding in taverns; and warning bells would only stir them up. Hopefully the guards would force her back to her room to hide; and if they did find her then they could assume she cause the man to jump out the window to get the hell away from her!

With his feet on the ground, Robert made his way back tot he wall, and then followed it to one of the exits. Once the cost was (mostly) clear, he made his way out; and did his damn well best to disappear into the darkness and blend in with the drunks.

[Marian Cooper]

She couldn't help but smirk when Robin glared at her and assured her that he'd be back for it...she'd just bet he would. The guards rounded the corner just in time to see Robin dart into the room, and they were so busy rushing to go after him, they didn't notice the small woman pressed into the shadows. Taking her chance, Marian darted into a different room, and following Robin's example, climbed out the window...on the opposite side of the castle. It was relatively easy for her to sneak out that way while everyone was busy chasing down the terrible bandit on the other side of the castle.

She slipped out to the woods, and just as she'd planned, she broke in her new bow with plenty of target practice. She kept at it until the adrenaline from her great escape wore off, and she started to feel a little tired...tired, and thirsty. Even with the adrenaline wearing off, she knew she was too hocked up to get any sleep, so instead she figured she'd head to a tavern, get herself a drink and relax a bit. This wouldn't be the first time she'd gone for a drink with the common folk, so she wasn't overly concerned about mingling with the flea-bitten masses.

She made her way to a tavern she'd visited before, noticing on the way how things seemed to be a little...lively in the village tonight. This didn't deter her, taking her hood down as she entered the tavern and making her way up to the bar, ordering herself a pint of mead and drinking deep. She glanced to the side when a very big, very ugly, and very drunk fellow muscled his way through the crowd to her. "Hey, darlin', how much for a tumble?"

Marian looked up at him, unimpressed, then went back to her drink. "More than you can afford, muscles. Why don't you go find yourself a nice pile of filth to pass out in?" She answered, causing a few of the men gathered around to howl and hoot with laughter at his embarrassment, before a glare from the big ugly drunk shut them up. Oh, now he was mad. How terrifying.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Ok, points to the sheriff; he had seemed to finally figured out that a few idiots would not catch him the outlaw he so badly wanted strung up. So he had more then doubled the guards around the towns and castle in his effort to bring in the outlaw. Robert chuckled at the thought that he was keeping the men of Nottingham employed but annoyed that once they become guards and moved up into the castle; and were in the sheriff's pocket they seemed to lose loyalty to the lowerclass they they were once apart of. Then again, most of the guards were hired from far off places so it's not like these were their neighbors and friends.

Robert could not make it to the woods right now; so he knew it was back to hiding out in the whore's bed room. He had to be hurting her business tonight spending all his time up there but she didn't seem to complain; unless it was from not being able to join him. If he wasn't afraid of getting caught with his pants down; he would be afraid of what he might catch while his pants where down with her. It wasn't a win/win so it wasn't happening.

Robert ducked into a blacksmith's forge and hid beside the fireplace for a little bit, and let him self get dirty, before turning to walk back to the tavern, giving him self a little bit of an unsteady walk to go with it. He liked doing his job right under the noses of the guards; and even sometimes getting them to help him with out their knowing of it.

[Marian Cooper]

Marian continued to drink, unperturbed by the big, and now angry drunk still towering over her. It didn't seem like he was taking the hint...add 'very stupid' to the list of expletives, too. "Sweet things like you don't come 'round these parts 'less there's whoring to be done." Right, because forthright women didn't show their faces in bars late at night, much less one quite this...rough. Marian glanced towards him out of the corner of her eye.

"Just looking for a quiet drink," she shrugged, taking another swig of her mead. Why was this guy so intent on her? There were plenty of whores in this bar, why was he bothering with the one woman who wasn't? She scowled, he must be sweet on her, or something...why did she always attract the stupid ones? The sheriff, the bandit, and now the drunk. She supposed it was her own fault for scaring off all the nice men, a man had to be either really brave or really stupid to pursue her. She drained her tankard, figuring she ought to get out of here.

"Well...I ain't. What kind of a whore turns away a customer?" Marian gave him a look at his words, was that really the most convincing argument he could come up with? She turned to go, but his meaty hand on her shoulder turned her back towards him. As he did, she took a hold of the tankard she had just set down, and brought it crashing up into his face. She realized it was a mistake even as she felt the wood shatter in her hand; guy had a jaw like a brick wall. Her outburst hadn't even phased him, except to make him angrier. She started to back away, but only now she noticed that the crowd had closed ranks around them, howling with amusement and blocking her exit. Oh, shit.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert was dirty and amused; which made for an bit too much fun. He moved up against the wall of the tavern and when it appeared no one was watching, he stepped up on a empty barrel and jumped though the window so he landed int he floor of the tavern and only by the grace of the good lord did he not land in the middle of something that would get his ass kicked for landing there. Standing up he looked around at the few people looking at her and gave a amused "Ha!" Before they raised their glasses at his stunt and then went to ignoring him.

Robert reached up to brush of some of the soot from the forge from his arms but only succeed in smearing most of it around. He walked up near the bar and found a pretty little working girl; and took her hand and raised it too his lip, "Oh my darling, could you get me a cloth covered in water so I might clean my self up in order to grace such a lovely little dove as your self." She gave a high pitched trill that might have been a giggle before turning to fetch his request for him. That was when he noticed the idiot women, annoying the drunks! Really; the woman was too much for him to handle. With that thought, Robert just sat back and blended in with the crowd rather the running to her aid. Let her learn a lesson!

When the dove came back he took the cloth and gave her a charming grin of thanks before starting with his face. He had only just finished his face before hearing the crash; looking up he saw what had just happened. Oh fuck she didn't do what he thought she did do; did she? About the time the rather large man reached over to take hold her with one hand, and start trying to pull her dress up with the other; Robert turned to his dove and lifted her into his arms.

Moving quickly he walked the few steps over tot he action; "Hold this one!" he told the large drunk before passing off the willing dove and then reaching over to pull Marian into his arms; spinning her so that her back was pressed to his chest and she was facing the drunk. "My good man! You found her for me! Not only did she steal my cloak but she ran away from me before dishing out her good." He looked down at Marian, silently daring her to demand other wise. If she opened her damn mouth he was going to leave here! "I think I better take this one up stairs where she can't cause the good folk of Nottingham any more trouble."

And just to piss her off; "Before we tuck you away from here in the safety of a room, you should apologize to johnny here and give him and sally a round of drinks t make up for the trouble you cause him." Once she said her peace he was going to toss her over his shoulder and take her up stairs and pray that he did not kill her while up there.

[Marian Cooper]

Marian didn't even know that Robin was in the building...she was busy with other things, like the enormous man who was gripping her arm so hard it made her wince, and how he was now groping at her skirt even as she tried to pull out of his grasp. The people around her just jeered and laughed; either too drunk or simply too callow to care. She clenched her fist, resolved to fight her way out of this even if it killed her --because death was preferable to what he had in mind-- when she was suddenly released, and she fell back a few steps, until she realized that someone else had a hold of her now.

She didn't need to see him to know who it was, or even hear his voice, even though he was speaking. This wasn't the first time he had held her like this, after all, and she still remembered what it felt like. Or, rather, what he felt like. She felt relieved; if nothing else, at least she knew his preferences wouldn't allow him to do the horrible things the other man had planned for her. She scowled at his words, but didn't say anything else. Big and ugly still looked angry, despite the somewhat irritated whore in his arms; she was glaring at Marian now too, apparently displeased that she'd gone from being in the local hero's arms to the arms of the local drunk. But Marian figured she'd get over it once she'd been paid.

The big guy seemed to be forgetting his anger as he realized there was a warm soft, woman in his arms, but when Robin offered the prospect of a free round of drinks, his eyes lit up. If Marian reneged, there was no way she'd make it out of the bar. She pursed her lips and shot a look up at the bandit, and then reached into her bodice for a few coins, enough to pay for their drinks...it was all she had with her, so it had better be enough. "My apologies, sir, for turning down such a generous offer. Clearly I must be addled by drink." Her voice was laden with sarcasm, but the man was either too drunk or too stupid to understand it, and just nodded as he took his drink from the bartender and held to his woman with the other hand.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Yes; killing her was looking better by the second. Robert just stood there for a moment as he almost held his breath while hoping the drunk was too impressed by the dove's low cut dress to notice the tone in her voice. He appeared to get lucky on two accounts; for the drunk did not notice and the bar keep who seemed to have been worried about the happenings held up two drinks for the new couple. Robert looked back at with with an I Own You look before spinning Marian around and tossing her on his shoulder like one carried a sake of potatoes. He hoped it left her a bit bruised.

Looking at the drunk he grinned, "You enjoy the experienced one, I am going to go teach this one who to speak to a man." With a few loud laughs and crude comments on what he could do to her, Robert turned for the steps. She'd be lucky if he didn't kill. Muttering to his self about stupid women he entered the room he'd been using before dropping her sharply on the bed and turning to shut the door. He put each hand palm down on the door before leaning forward slightly and closing his eyes. He was going to do his damnest not to kill her when he turned around. if they were both lucky she would use the window and get back to the castle before the drunks came up here to watch; or he put his hands around that little neck of her's.

After a moment; he turned around and folded his arms over his chest. "Next time you're determined to show you can do anything a man can do; don't wear my cloak. You might have damaged it."

[Marian Cooper]

Marian gave an uncomfortable groan as Robin unceremoniously threw her over his shoulder. He certainly wasn't gentle with her as he hauled her up the stairs, but it was nothing Marian couldn't handle. When he dropped her on the bed, Marian immediately looked at the window, then at him as he turned back to close the door. He seemed pretty angry, although she didn't see why. It wasn't like she'd asked him to help, he'd done that on his own, for whatever reason. She hadn't even started the fight! She was just minding her own business when that lummox had assaulted her!

She shrugged when he told her not to wear his cloak. "I was just trying to return it." She used the same excuse as before, although again, she didn't bother trying to remove the cloak, she just sat on the edge of the bed with her best innocent smile. "You're very attached to this cloak, aren't you?" Marian spoke as if she hadn't almost gotten herself killed downstairs, as if everything between them were perfectly normal, as if they were just making conversation in the market.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

She had no idea just how close to being more then manhandled she came down there, did she? You'd think a whore would have known better then to walk into a room of drunks; as it would lead to nothing but single minded thoughts. In a tavern women were out-numbed' and they liked it that way. More men to pay attention to them; and pass gold their way for the favors. So she was either the worlds dumbest whore; or---He was going to just go with worlds dumbest.

"I am not going to thank you for returning it," He told her as he walked slowly over to her trying his best not to think of wrapping his dirty hands around her clean neck; and stopping any back talk she might try to give him. "But I think you should be thanking someone from saving your sweet little ares down there." Once he was handing over her; he reached down to pull her up and with a bit of force turn her into the wall. With her back to it; he put one hand on each side of her head and toward over her. "But I think you know just how to thank man."

He would have just stood over; while she sat on the bed too be a bit more suggestive; as with her sitting and hm standing her face would have been just in line with his manhood. However; he did not trust her that close to his favorite parts. even this close to her; he knew that her knee could do some damage and that was why he was ready to move to stop her should she be dumb enough to try.

[Marian Cooper]

Marian rolled her eyes as he pointed out that she ought to thank him; she really should, shouldn't she? If he hadn't intervened, she probably would have died down there, because there was no way she was going to let big and ugly have his way with her without a fight. But Marian was too proud to give Robin her thanks, she didn't want to admit that he'd saved her. Even if she had gotten herself killed...she would've made sure he never troubled another woman with his base instincts again.

It was a point of curiosity why Marian went places that she knew could get her killed; why she enjoyed running around the woods, and most especially, why she was drawn to the company of a certain bandit who kept threatening to hurt her. The truth was, she loved the thrill, the danger. Her day-to-day life was so boring; dances and gossip and nothing of importance to be done. Marian wasn't raised to be a pretty little ornament, she was made for a life of action, even if that life got her killed just like her father.

She let him push her back against the wall, looking up at him as he none-too-subtly indicated what he wanted in thanks. "So...you only saved me so you could indulge yourself instead?" She raised her eyebrows in an unimpressed gesture, then folded her arms across her chest. "I thought you were supposed to be some big damn hero? You're supposed to rescue the damsels in distress, not distress them yourself." Marian had never been known for her ability to show gratitude; but then, who would, given what he was demanding?

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[Robin Of The Woods]

"Oh no sweet heart," He told her with a hint of charm laced with an angry edge to it; "You have it all backwards. Outlaws are not heroes, they are the villains. We rob people and steal things. The people 'round here just get amused because I only steal the rich people's things. They don't seem to think about it from my point of view." Robert didn't like being anyone's hero, not in the since she was meaning; for it added to much pressure and he wasn't working for the people. This was between two men; him and the sheriff; and the towns just got int he middle some how.

He could be the hero when drinks were dealt out; and the hero when it was just people laughing at the sheriff's embarrassment; but she was telling him he was supposed to be a saint and not get his hands dirty. Save people from them selves and not ask for nothing in return; "What do they got that I want to steal?" She challenged her to answer that; "Nothing. I steal from the rich because that is were the good stuff is."

Reaching up he used his free hand to grip her jaw, while looking down at her lips. "Rich people's things are prettier;" He paused for a moment, and his tone was deeper and more husky when he spoken again; "Softer;" After another paused he finished his statement; "and smell a hell of allot better." Tilting his head down he stole a kiss; fully expecting her to attempt to kick him off with her knee aimed at his favorite bits; and ready block and move back in order to save his self that type of pain.