Robin & Marian

[Marian Cooper]

Marian listened to his explanation of why he did the things he did contemplatively, a small smile dancing on her lips. She couldn't help the brief laughter that erupted from her lips when he finished explaining how he was the 'bad guy' and people just had the wrong idea about him. "You know, you sounded just like the Sheriff there." Oh yes, the Sheriff seemed to be one of the few who really thought Robin was the villain, because with the way the taxes went up, he and the Prince just seemed to look worse and worse to the common folk.

The nobility saw Robin differently; most considered him a black sheep, a nuisance, a pest to be put down, until he stole something of theirs, and then he became public enemy number one and harassed the Sheriff to do something about him. If she had to guess, she'd say that the whining nobles was what annoyed the Sheriff most about Robin, even counting the many attempts to set him on fire. She didn't argue when he pointed out that the poor had nothing worth stealing, she could easily believe that. But if he were really just out for himself, why did she hear so many rumors that claimed he gave what he took back to the people? Or, had he just started those stories so that the people wouldn't cause him any trouble, or try to turn him in?

Surprisingly, Marian didn't fight against him when he grabbed her, noticing how his muscles were tensed to react to whatever she might try. So when he kissed her, she didn't just let him, but she lifted her hands to his shoulders, pressing her soft, warm body flush against his, and standing up on her toes so she had more control over the kiss. And once she'd decided he'd had a good taste of exactly what it was he wanted, she took his lower lip in between her teeth, and bit down so hard that she tasted blood, before she dropped back down onto her heels and shoved him away from her. "Not necessarily nicer, though." She taunted, her breathing heavy, lifting her sleeve to wipe away the few drops of his blood that clung to her lips still.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert felt the sharp bit in his lip and pulled his head back with an annoyed hiss! The bitch bit him! He looked down at her for a moment; debating on his course of action while she smugly reached up to clean the blood from her lips. His blood! He moved swiftly and pulled her arms tightly behind her; hoping like hell it hurt just a little. Pulling her partly off the wall so she was forced to press into him he stared down at her for a moment.

"You think your ready to live in a man's world; but you don't have a damn clue do you little girl?" He knew he was man handling her but at the moment he wanted her slightly afraid. He would hurt her; he would bruise her if she pushed him a little bit more. "I've seen twisted little men who are confused and think they are girls; seen men who like them like that. Are you confused Marian? Should I call you Martin to make you feel better?"

When he had both of her small wrist in his one tight grip behind her back he moved his hand to cup her breast for a second before letting it go and wrapping the same hand around her neck. "You don't feel like a Martin, sweet heart." He wanted to hurt her a bit; make her doubt in that she was safe to treat men--him this way. However when push came to shove; Robert found he could not do anything that would leave a true mark on her. Damn her! Dropping his hand to the latch on the cloak he undid it before turning her and pushing her back to the bed and away from him. She had no idea just how damn lucky she was that he was born a gentlemen; rather then the town drunk. "Come now, Martin;" He used the name in the same tone as he did sweet heart; letting it get drug out and sound slightly feminine. "I will take you as far as the stone walls of the castle; then your the sheriff's problem again." And she could stay the hell away from him.

[Marian Cooper]

It did hurt, but Marian wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing that, so she just smiled up at him smugly. Marian knew she wasn't a man, nor did she particularly want to be one, although at times like these there were certain things that would come in handy...like upper body strength. He had such an easy time pushing her around, it was ridiculous. She rolled her eyes as he declared that she didn't have any idea what she was doing; she really didn't, but not through lack of trying. Maybe if everyone would just stop trying to protect her all the time, she could experience something for herself.

Her smile faded into an annoyed scowl the more he went on. She didn't want to be a man, she just wanted to be allowed to do the things men could! She was so tired of being a pretty bird in a cage. "I don't want to be a man, I just want men to stop telling me how I ought to live!" She tilted her head at him as he felt her up, raising an eyebrow. Clearly, however she acted, she was still a woman, so why did she have to act how everyone else expected her to? She wasn't afraid of him right now, although by all rights, she should have been. She was too angry for fear.

After he shoved her back down onto the bed, she sat up, glaring up at him. Half of her was wondering why he hadn't done more to hurt her; most nobles she knew would have, after being insulted like this. The other half didn't care. "You treat me like a thing, just another pretty bauble you can steal from the Sheriff, and because I fight back, there must be something wrong with me? I think there's something wrong with all the other women who let men like you get away with it! Maybe I'll get hurt more than they will, but at least you will too!" She growled, she'd rather fight back than just be some man's plaything. She scowled at the way he spoke to her, and instead of following him to the door, went to the window, throwing it open and climbing outside. Better than having him think he was protecting her.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

She was yelling at him but he wasn't quite sure he was paying attention to her; for it was just annoying non since. As she moved over to the window to climb out he moved to lay back on the bed not caring that she was leaving. "I am not trying to steal you from the Sheriff; I am a half second away from toughing you at him!" Or turning him self in to be spared from her! "I once kidnapped the Barron's dogs and they bitched at me less then you do, Martin!"

He put his hands behind his head, and crossed his legs at the ankles while ignoring her; and sucking slightly on his bleeding lip so it would stop quicker. Let her climb back into the castle! The men would still be on high guard from his 'exit' and with any luck they'd find her! He doubted she would end up in the stocks or prison; as the sheriff would let her 'work it off'.

"Shut the window on your way out sweet cheeks; I don't want to get drafty." He fully planned to wait here until she had time to get over the wall, before checking to make sure she did not fall and then going down and hiding in the crowd until they all headed home at once. From there he could disappear and get the hell away from mouthy women who did not even know how to say thank you.

[Marian Cooper]

Marian leaned out the window, and would have climbed out...if not for the patrol that turned around the corner just then, eyes alert for anything suspicious. Marian was no expert, but she had a feeling that women climbing out second story windows counted as unusual, so she ducked back inside, closing the window. She'd have to wait until things calmed down a bit before she tried going out that way...and she'd have to wait until things downstairs calmed down a lot before she tried to use the front door. So she was stuck here with the insufferable ass. Joy.

She rolled her eyes when he compared her to dogs; but something else about what he'd said struck her more. "Why on earth would you steal dogs?" She asked, looking at him as he lounged on the bed so casually, and then she leaned back against the wall. Surely no one would pay to get their dogs back? Or had he just planned to sell them? He really was willing to steal anything, wasn't he?

She ignored his comment about closing the window, since she couldn't exactly leave now. If she did, not only would she be caught, but he would, too, so he couldn't throw her out, either. They were stuck together, at least for a little while. How charming.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

He turned his head to look at her as she climbed back in; and appeared to be staying. Joy! Just what would top off his night. in order to brace himself from killing her--or stop him self from taking her; he rolled over to reached under the bed to pull out the tankard of ale that he'd been drinking on for most of the day. It still was only half full as he rather not loose his wits while dining the the sheriff's den so to speak. He took a deep drink before speaking again; "I did not steal dogs, I kidnapped them. There is a difference, sweet heart."

"And I kidnapped them because have you met, Baron Ivesly? The man would trade me his prettiest daughter to get them dogs back." Maybe not that far, but he had paid a pretty penny to get his highly trained hunting dogs back. Gifts from the king he claimed they were, and Robert didn't really care. The man had just been too high and mighty and it has just been to damn fun to so it. Besides, he didn't have much else to do.

Pushing himself to a sitting position he leaned his head back on the wall to watch her. He knew they were trapped here for a few hours; and if he went back down there then they would assume he was done with her. "I'd offer to share; Martin but you might be poisonous." He teased her before offering her the tankard that he had no cup for. It was a peace offing for the moment; he was not foolish enough to think this meant anything more then that they were trapped.

[Marian Cooper]

Marian raised her eyebrows and fought back a smile as he indignantly pointed out that he had not stolen the dogs, but kidnapped them. And held them for ransom? Ah, Baron Ivesly, that made sense. Man loved those dogs more than his own wife, and Marian was fair certain the woman preferred it that way. Poor dogs, though. "Not really fair to compare me to them... those dogs are more accustomed to pleasing men than most whores. They'd have to be, I don't believe the Baron's wife has touched him in years." She joked lightly, and at the Baron's expense. Not mention the dogs...poor dogs.

She watched him somewhat warily as he fetched something from under the bed...ale? Clearly someone had been spending a great deal of time in the whore's room lately. She laughed when he commented that she might be poisonous. "If I am, it's already too late for you." She pointed out, she had already bitten him, after all, and then reaching out to take the tankard he offered, and taking a swig in good faith. She knew that it was a gesture of some unsteady, uncertain peace between them, at least until they could both leave the room safely. Otherwise, neither of them might leave the room at all.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert gave a short burst of laughter at her comment about the dogs. "Poor bastards." He said of the dogs highly amused at the words she'd tossed out and this time not even at him. He folded his hands behind his head but watched her closely; not trusting her to try to do something stupid; like hit him with his ale and leaving him here for the guards to find. Robert wasn't used to spending time with women when he wasn't rolling them under him; or in the case of one royal princess--hiding from her.

He gave a mental shake at the reminder that that one before making sure he was focused on Marian once again. That crazy princess had tired to get him to sleep with her so she could get heavy with his babe and call it her heir. She was officially the only woman in England that he avoided unless he was desperate in need of a place to hide.

He let the silence drag out for a few moments; before teasing her with a suggestive comment; "So what shall we do to amuse our selves?" He asked as he moved his eyes brows up quickly as if to hint. He knew the most he'd get from that is another sharp remark at best and the ale in his face at worse. It was however; ask her that or go back to calling her Manly Martin.

[Marian Cooper]

She was relieved when he laughed, feeling the tense atmosphere relax somewhat. She doubted they could really be comfortable together, but at least they wouldn't have to sit around glaring at one another for the next few hours. Glancing around the room, she noticed how spartan it was...there wasn't even a chair. She didn't feel like standing for the next few hours, so after a moment's hesitation, she moved to sit down on the edge of the bed. She didn't think Robin would try anything with her again; not unless he was eager to learn what other parts of him she could draw blood from.

Or maybe she was wrong about his intentions. She pursed her lips and gave him her very best 'unimpressed' expression, then rolled her eyes. He was teasing. "I used up the last of my coin downstairs...I'm afraid I can't afford your coveted services." She shrugged innocently, recalling what he'd told her that morning...women paid him to sleep with him. Right. Because there weren't enough arrogant asses throwing themselves at the women around here. Although...he was better looking than most of the other men in town....

Halting on that thought, she took another hurried gulp of ale, to clear her head, before she handed the tankard back to Robin. Last thing she needed was to get drunk in a whore house with this man.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert gave another short chuckle at her words; knowing she was referring to his joke yesterday. "I would offer you something for free but you've already had a taste." He reached over to touched his lip; "I think you've had enough of me." It still left him wondering what to do with her while trapped here. He didn't trust her enough to fully ignore her; as he was willing to bet he would wake up naked and alone; or worse naked and surrounded by the sheriff's men. If it was his own men; Robert could handle being naked and caught. The only thing hurt there would be his pride; but with the sheriff's men he might find them about to cut off his head--either of them.

She offered it back and he reached for it, turning it slowly so he drank out of the same place she did. "Your not from these parts; how does a girl like you end up in a place like this." He moved his hand out as if to gesture to the whore's bed room but he was sure she would know that he meant the town of Nottingham rather then the room.

He had not heard of her until after he was outlawed but everyone seemed to have known her when she got here. He had not learned much about her; as up until this moment he had not truly cared to know more. He only knew that had he not been outlawed when he met her; she might not have been half as annoying. "I was raised here. Never really left until just before the war; I doubt I would have over looked one such as you."

[Marian Cooper]

Marian chuckled lightly when he pointed out that she'd had her free taste tonight already, then looked at him and raised her eyebrows. "You want me to kiss it better?" She offered teasingly, knowing that he wasn't going to risk it, in case she decided to take another snap at him. No, he had probably learned his lesson about his unwanted touching, and if he hadn't...well, Marian was more than happy to reinforce the lesson.

Her smile faded somewhat as he asked about why she was here, in Nottingham, and she wondered if she should tell him. She'd never actually told anyone the story, because in the past, it had always preceded her. She was a girl with a reputation, and while no one really talked about her story anymore --it was old news-- everybody knew it. "My mother went crazy so my sister and I went to live in London, but I didn't fit in there, so they sent me here instead. Now my sister's married and her husband owns our land, so I'm too poor to go anywhere else." She probably could go home, live with her crazy mother, but she didn't think she could stand that, even though she'd have more freedom than she did in Nottingham.

She'd thought about just leaving with her bow and what little money she had, but even Marian with her penchant for thrills and her disregard for her own safety wasn't stupid enough to think she'd get very far on the bandit-crowded roads. Besides, where would she go? Sure, she had plenty of relatives, but none that would be particularly happy to see her. And the life of a homeless wanderer had never really appealed to her...maybe she was too much of a spoiled noble. "So how does an Earl go from being a hero of the crusades to outlawed in Sherwood forest?" That was about all anyone knew of Robin's story...he'd gone to war with the king, and shortly after his return, he changed his name and started stealing from people. The Sheriff wouldn't tell her anymore than that, although she knew he knew. Maybe Robin would talk.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

"Darlin', I don't even this you know how to kiss; if this is any sign of your . . . skills. Then again; maybe the sheriff likes it rough. Maybe you are good for the poor bastard." He was only half kidding her as she had taken a bit out of him rather then kiss her; and he had heard of some men who liked it with a bit of blood sport mixed in. Who knew; maybe the good sheriff was one of them. With her story of being too poor to go else where, he could see how she would need to do what she could to earn some coin.

He didn't feel bad for her; poor little rich girl. If she curved her tongue she could find a husband to bully. She was pretty enough--more then pretty enough; to win over some man's hand before he knew she was leading him on a string. Hell; he bet if she stop giving it to the sheriff that the man might even offer for her. Nothing said job security like a wedding band.

It was her turning the question on him; that stopped Robert from saying something annoying. He wanted to just walk away or ignore her question completely but instead he shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal. "Came home from the land of sand, to find my father dead and my lands stripped of everything of value." He had been more angry that he was broke rather then anything else. It had taken a little while before he started to realize that his family was suffering and the people were looking to him to do something; but by then it was too late. "This was only supposed to be between me and your lover. Things escalated and somewhere along the way I crossed the right line for him to use his power and order my head on his chopping block." He had ran to the woods; covered in the dead man's blood and found the group of outlaws there. After a few days of them fake bowing and wrong titles of noblemenship; he decided to get even with the sheriff but to spare his family--and stop the men's remarks he took on a lowerclass name.

Robert took a deeper drink before offering the ale to her again; "Once the sheriff's dead; I can move on. Scottland; maybe; or the isles." Just be free of war.

[Marian Cooper]

Marian didn't want Robin's pity; he'd asked, so she'd told. She didn't need him to feel sorry for her, in fact, she preferred it if he didn't. She snorted with laughter when he commented on what the Sheriff liked, and she wondered if she should tell him that he'd gotten more action out of her than the Sheriff had managed in four years; she didn't suppose he'd believe her anyways. Then again, the Sheriff had also never manhandled her or tried to force her into anything, either. She didn't know how the rumors that she was sleeping with him had started, whether he'd began them to save face after pursuing her for so long without a wife to show for it, or if it had been some spiteful noble, or if it was just gossip.

Four years ago, an indignant sixteen year old Marian had made it very clear to the man that he would not lay a finger on her unless they were wed, and after that, it had become his obsession. She'd thought he'd give up, eventually, and by the time she'd decided she never wanted to marry, he was deadset on it. She didn't know if he truly even wanted her anymore, or if he was just too stubborn to give up, like with catching his Robin Hood. She was still hoping that his obsession with catching Robin would distract him from her, permanently, but he still seemed to remember her from time to time.

She listened to what he had to say about him and 'her lover', but didn't feel particularly moved by it. So many nobles had lost land, prestige, power and wealth to the throne, even those that retained their titles were little better off than peasants. She took the tankard back from him, and took a long draught before handing it back to him. Well...if they were being honest.... "The rumors aren't true. I'm not the Sheriff's mistress." She looked at him, not for a second thinking he'd believe her. Then she laughed, somewhat bitterly. "Not that you'll believe me. Not that anyone does."

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert was glad that she didn't ask more about how he joined the ranks of the outlaws that he lived and fought with. He knew that he had been the spoiled rich boy who had bitterly lashed back; but he wasn't the man now. This was still personal and he was not doing this to help the poor sods of Nottingham but he was not doing it for the reasons he started this war.

He sort her a look when she claimed that she was not the sheriff's lover and there was a bit of amused disbelief there. He watched for for a moment before shrugging slightly; "yeah, me either." He wasn't sure if he believed her but he knew he didn't disbelieve her. She fought men too hard to be some man's mistress but he wasn't sure why she had ties to the sheriff. "I should figured; you kiss like a virgin." One that bit.

His hands where folded behind his head; and Robert closed his eyes as if he was thinking of sleeping but at the same time he was strongly aware of right where she was. The dip in the bed would shift if she moved. "So why don't you play by the rules; Marian?" He asked in the same tone he used the name Martin.

[Marian Cooper]

She bit back a laugh when he announced he wasn't the Sheriff's lover either; well at least now she knew that the reasons for their falling out didn't involved lurid homoerotic heartbreak; too bad. That would make the whole thing more interesting, in her opinion. Robin, as the slighted ex-lover of the Sheriff...or maybe the Sheriff had been slighted? It did fit with her theory that Robin preferred the company of men; she was starting to like this new theory. And everything they threw at one another was really just jealous anger at their former lover...Robin did say he grew up here.

She laughed slightly when he accused her of kissing like a virgin, she couldn't exactly argue with that. She couldn't tell if he really believed her or not, but he hadn't called her an outright liar, so that had to be a good sign. Marian wasn't sure why she wanted Robin to not only know the truth, but believe it, but she did, even though she let everyone else say whatever they wanted without ever trying to defend herself.

She shrugged at his question. "Rules are boring, and they've never gotten me anywhere. Breaking them doesn't get me anywhere, either, but at least it's more fun." There was no sensible reason why Marian liked to break all the rules; she liked the thrill of it. She liked that it gave her something to do; as it was, no one expected anything of her. She was just around to look pretty and stay out of the other, more important people's way. She hated it. Marian just wanted something to do, and when she broke the rules, at least she wasn't bored for a while.

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((Mmm, bed, good idea.))