lies & lace

[Marian Cooper]

Marian had never spent so much time cooped up in her room than she had since she arrived at the castle of Nottingham. In London, there was always something to be done; she had been a lady-in-waiting for many years, and that meant waking up before her mistress to prepare for the day to come. Even once she was old enough that she didn't have to wait on others anymore, she would spend most of her time out and about, socializing with the other ladies or flirting with the gentlemen. She was hardly ever alone, because even if she didn't feel like leaving her rooms, Isabel was around, and Marian and her twin sister could always find something to do if they were bored. Way out here, at the ass-end of the country, she seemed to be alone all the time. And the worst of it was that it was mostly a self-imposed exile.

It was true that the Sheriff would have his men escort her to her room if she became too annoying, but it wasn't like she was restricted there. She simply didn't really want to get to know any of the backwards inhabitants of this backwater dump, because she wasn't planning on staying very long. She wished there was some way she could go back to the court in London, because that was where she felt like she belonged, but no matter how she looked at it, she was going to be in exile. She'd be politically blacklisted if she managed to find a way out of her marriage, and if she did go ahead with the wedding, she knew that she'd have to remain by her husband's side, at least for a few years, until she had produced him an heir. And that was about as appealing to Marian as exile, so her plan to get out of the whole thing was still going full steam.

But that meant spending long hours by herself, planning, scheming, and...being bored out of her mind. She was sitting at the window in her sitting room, watching the guards in the courtyard below, learning their patterns and schedules. She had been provided with very comfortable quarters, which had been unexpected, but she was glad for it. At least she wouldn't live in squalor until she managed to get away.

If she managed to get away. She still remembered how her first attempt had gone; it might have been a success if she just hadn't run into that damn earl-turned-outlaw. Stupid Robert, or Robin, or whatever it was the fugitive was calling himself. Looking back, she figured she might have just gotten lost in the woods anyways; which was why he next escape attempt would need to involve a map. Or maybe a guide. Possibly both. If she was going to get around the Sheriff and the outlaws, she was going to need to be better prepared. She was startled out of her thoughts by a knock on the door, and collecting herself, she walked over to the door and pulled it open, assuming it would just be a maid or something. "...Can I help you with something?"

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tag;Ari?nna

[ella]

Ari?nna still did not know why she was here, standing in front of this women door. Sure Robert had made her promise to keep an eye on the girl, make sure she stay in the castle, make sure she stay near the sheriff, blah blah blah... but really... did she have to talk to her. She was probably stuck up rude and proper...everything Ari?nna was not. There was no way she was going to like this girl. Lady Marian was just that a lady. Arg just thinking of the word made her sick. But that was besides a point. A promise was a promise. If Ari?nna was going to hold up her end, then she'd have to at least get to know Lady Marian.

If at the very least she try to run, Ari?nna should try with words to bring her back. If anything find out what she liked to do. Something. Even know Ari?nna was sure she could swing the girl over her shoulder and drag her butt back to this room, that would not be very lady like and it would draw attention. Ari?nna only wore dresses because women did not wear pants, though Ari?nna found them much more appealing. But Robert again made her promise that she'd look like a lady at the very least. Ari?nna would still do some heavy lifting and what not, but at least she did it in a dress. It was all part of the image she was putting on. Stupid Robert coming up with this stupid idea. Stupid Lady. The Sheriff wanted Ari?nna to treat the Lady Marian like a goddess or some bull crap. Ari?nna would not do such a thing, but she'd be nice at least to try to keep the Sheriffs favor.

But here she stood outside her door. Ari?nna had never said more then a few words to the girl, trying to avoid her at most every cost. Ari?nna did not play well with others.... well not anymore. Before Robert got himself outlawed she was quite the popular lady. But now she was much to...preoccupied for such silly relationships. Without really thinking she knocked a few times on the door. Her mind was still off in a different place, thinking about Robert teaching her how to use some weapons. Something her father was very very upset about. But something Ari?nna loved very much.

The door opened and Ari?nna snapped out of her dream. She put a soft smile on her face right away, and just in time to see Lady Marian's face in the door way. Ari?nna wanted to say no and walk away...but she promise to get to know Lady Marian. How did he always sucker her into doing things she did not wish to do. "I'm sorry to bother you..." Ari?nna said in her most polite voice. It made her want to go out back and throw up her lunch. Her being all nice... gross. "But I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing... you don't seem to want to leave your chambers much." Ari?nna tried. Gosh if she kept speaking so nicely she'd be stuck like this forever. It would all be Roberts fault. Maybe this was his master plan all along..... Oh how she'd get him if it were.

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[Marian Cooper]

Marian forced a smile when she saw the other girl, who was also smiling, on the other side of the door. She'd seen the girl around, she knew she was a noblewoman, but other than that, she couldn't say she knew much. The girl seemed to keep to the fringes herself, and with Marian feeling less than sociable since her arrival, they hadn't had much opportunity to speak, and she was hardly in the mood for gossip. But here she was now, and Marian knew it would be rude to send her away...not mention she could probably use some company. She was going to go stir crazy if she continued spending so much time on her own.

"Of course not, it's no bother," Marian replied, trying to sound polite and mind her manners as a good little noble girl ought to. No point in making yet more enemies before she had to. However, she never had been much of a liar, and she was afraid that her tone made it obvious just how untrue her statement was. But whether she wanted company or not...it was here. She gave a slight, resigned shrug of her shoulders when she pointed out that she hadn't made it out of her room very much...well, the girl wasn't wrong. "Admittedly, I am having a bit of trouble...acclimatizing to life in the country."

Yes, life way out in the boonies, the absolute last place she wanted to be, was rather difficult on her. No one wanted to spend more time out on their dung-covered estates, not when there was so much going on elsewhere. She was very much the city girl, and she didn't know if this country living thing would work for her at all. Which was why she was planning on leaving. "Would you like to come in?" She offered, stepping aside and holding the door open for the other woman, still trying to be polite. She doubted she had only come here for a quick answer, after all.

As she entered, it occurred to Marian that she still didn't know the woman's name. "I'm sorry, but I regret that I seem to have...forgotten your name. Lots of new faces to remember, I'm afraid." She knew it wasn't exactly good to admit to, but she wasn't going to sit around with a woman, wondering what her name was, too worried about social niceties to ask. If she was offended, it wasn't like Marian would be around for very long to suffer her wrath.

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[ella]

Ari?nna forced a small laugh. Well if she hated it here, she should go back to wherever it was she was from. Being married to the Sheriff or not, still. Ari?nna would never let such a thing happen. Shoot.. the man made her very skin itch, she could not imagine having to spend her nights with the horrible man. Though Lady Marian did not seem to pleased with the arrangements... But Ari?nna would never have let herself get this far deep. Ari?nna would rather die then be married to a man half as evil as the Sheriff. Guess she had guts, or she was quit dumb...though she did not seem so. Ari?nna just could not figure her out. This was going to be a hard on to track... if she ever made another move to escape.

But Lady Marian had wanted company...wonderful. Now Ari?nna was stuck playing babysitter for how ever long. She never should have come over here. Ari?nna should have been smart and watched her from afar... you know that creeper lady. Maybe then people would stop speaking to her. That would have been wonderful. But nope. Ari?nna had to listen to the little voice of her brother. Dang her for being so loyal to him. "Thank you." She said taking a few steps in through the door, standing just far enough in for the door to close. She knew this place well, but did not move in too much. She was not comfortable with this, though she tried to be. She stood in a normal stance, showing little to no signs of her discomfort. But that came with all her practice. She had to make people think she at least [l]liked

[/i] the Sheriff.

Ari?nna shook her head. "Ari?nna." She answered. "And no need to worry over it. It's only a name. I have been called more names then that." She said with a shrug. It was true her brother called her Buttons. Her mother called her daughter, her father called her a ton of things. So a name was a name, she did not care about such things. They were superficial and a wast of time anyway. "But you don't need to know anyone name... seeing as well... your you. " Ari?nna shook her head. She was to be married to the Sheriff and people were frighten of him...so she had some power, even if she annoyed him greatly. Still she could get people in trouble if she wished. Not that she pined Lady Marian to be such a girl..but still that kind of power would be pretty fun to have. Ari?nna would have fun messing with people for sure.[/color][/blockquote][/blockquote][/center]

[Marian Cooper]

Once the girl had stepped inside, Marian closed the door behind her, before she moved to sit on one of the chairs. Given her position, she had been afforded comfortable chambers, ones that included a sitting room preceding her actual sleeping chambers, where she could entertain guests if she so chose...just like right now. It was more space than she was used to, in London the rooms were much more conservative, even for the high nobility, and Marian hardly qualified there. "Please, have a seat." She gestured to the few other chairs and couch that were the focal point of the room, giving the girl her pick of seats.

Ari?nna....where had she heard that before? It sounded vaguely familiar...but Marian didn't worry over it too much. The girl sure didn't seem to mind. But she was startled by what she said next...was the Sheriff really so highly regarded? She pushed a strand of hair back behind her ear, blushing a bit and looking away sheepishly, feeling a little awkward. Sure, she was used to being a noble and having peasants and servants scrape and bow, but among other nobles, she was a small fish. It was somewhat odd, suddenly finding herself a big fish in a little pond.

"No, don't be silly. I'm just the daughter of a dead earl...easy to push around." She answered with a bit of dry humor, it might not be very funny, but it was true. Without a father or a brother, Marian fell easy prey to the machinations of the greater royalty. Not that she wasn't trying to do something about that. "So, Ari?nna, distract me from the woes of being a political pawn. What's interesting and exciting in Nottingham?" She asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice as she asked about the boring country town she was now resigned to.

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[ella]

Ariánna raised an eye brow for a moment, when asked to take a seat. Well she was really not planning on staying that long.... Ariánna had things to do... or rather things, erm, people to avoid. Well this would be one place to hide. No one would really think to look for her here... of all places Ariánna would not hide out inside. But this would for sure throw anyone off who might be looking for her. So she might as well stay...for a little while anyway. So Ariánna walked to the closest chair and took a seat in it, not paying attention to which one she sat in.

Ariánna laughter a little. That may be... but she would be a lot more now...or soon. Ariánna did not bother to care about such things like marriage, so she was not even sure if they were married yet. "I too am a daughter of a dead earl, the sister of an crazy outlaw and my mother might as well be dead." Ariánna answered. She just could not help but one up her. Ariánna never wanted anyone to feel sorry for her, but she could not help it. The opportunity presented herself to bitch about her life, and that's what she'd do. Anyway Lady Marian's life could not be as bad as hers.... then again... the Sheriff... the idea of sitting in the same room as he, made her shiver. Oh how she hated him so.

Oh but a change of subject... well she'd take that. "interesting and exciting? Here?" Ariánna asked. "Well nothing." She answered truthfully. "Find a hobby?" She asked just so she was not as rude. Not that she was trying to be so. She just came off that way at times. "I mean.... There's not much to do. I tend to find new hobby's quickly so I don't get too bored." She said with a bit of a shrug. Ariánna had to be a little nice to her. She did not want to scare her off or anything, that would be in direct violation of her orders, from her brother. So she needed to be more careful. Her goal here was to make Lady Marian want to stay...not chase her off.

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[Marian Cooper]

That was where she had heard the name! Because a crazy outlaw for a brother could only mean one man, the only son of an Earl who was insane enough to throw away the luxuries of the Noble life, and for what? The poor, beleaguered peasantry? That was what the bards sung, but having met the man, Marian felt certain his goals were decidedly less noble. "You're the sister of Robin Hood?" She asked with a certain amount of intrigue, she despised the man, and yet, she found it interesting that his sister lived here, in the castle, with all the people who wanted her brother dead.

Nothing of interest in the entire area? That was...morbidly disappointing. She hadn't really expected there to be much, but it was just depressing that they didn't have anything. "Not even the occasional foxhunt?" She suggested, that was what countryfolk did, right? Actually, that seemed more like something cityfolk did when visiting the country, but still! All these woods, and what were they being used for? Oh, right, providing shelter and refuge to a bunch of ill-mannered thugs. How could she forget? "Right, forget I asked."

She gave a slight laugh when Ari?nna suggested a hobby. "Oh, you must be an expert on hobbies, then. You must advise me. Exactly which hobbies are worth giving a go, and which are to be avoided at all costs?" Marian had never really had a hobby in the past, her hobbies involved gossiping and hunting and doing things that simply were not an option way out here. "And please, for the love of all that's holy, tell me that embroidery falls on the second list." She said with some seriousness, she did so hate the noble art of stitching pretty things onto a bit of cloth to pass the time; it was just so boring.

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[ella]

Ah little miss smarty pants figured it out. She let herself snicker a little bit. "He is no brother of mine." She said shaking her head. "He dare call me his sister and I'll go hunt him down my self." She said with a huff crossing her arms keeping up her lie. "I could find him much faster then any of the oafs that are 'looking'" She commented. It was true. She knew her brother so well, she could find him EASY. But of course she was on his side, good thing too. If she had really been against her brother then he surly would be hung by the neck many moons ago. She knew all his spots, every single one. So lucky for him her love runs deep...really deep.

"Oh don't I wish." She said shaking her head. "I'm sure you can find one or two, but they are horribly unexciting. Anyway... they will never let me come along, so what's the point?" She added. Again if she were able to go with, she would make quite the 'guy'. Her head was so large she was confident she could catch one before any male. Of course she has never truly tried... but her big head makes her think she is best at most everything. Stupid boys.

"Anything is fun once in a while. I tell you cleaning out the horse stalls looks very amusing every now and again. "she said laughing slightly. It was true. When things got really dull she had half the mind to go do some physical labor. That always tired her out right quick, and taking a nap helped the time pass too. So she could always find something to do...even if it was less then ideal.

She let out a bigger laugh this time. "embroidery?" She said. "Yes well that is on the list... pretty far down if I do say so. I'd much rather sew and make something them a darn random picture...but that is an option. As much as you may hate it, there's always that one rainy day where it looks might fun." She informed. You really never know. Seriously. Some days she's do just about anything...no really... anything as long as it pasted the time.

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[Marian Cooper]

Well that explained why she was here, if she no longer considered Robert to be her brother. Marian couldn't blame her; he hardly seemed a decent man, and though she couldn't exactly judge how he might have treated his family, he seemed to have very little regard for women. Most men treated their sisters somewhat differently, but Marian thought that he might be an exception to that rule. Especially given her reaction to simply hearing his name. "My apologies, I didn't mean to bring up such a sore subject." She replied, but then smiled when she said she wouldn't have any trouble finding him. "Perhaps the Sheriff should enlist your help, then. His men certainly don't seem competent to the task."

They wouldn't even let her hunt? Marian blinked, that wasn't promising. In London, women often went along on the hunts, even if most preferred to simply chase than wield a bow, it was just one more form of entertainment among many others. She frowned, it seemed her options for distraction around here were falling dreadfully short of even her limited expectations. She did laugh when Ari?nna told her how even cleaning the stables could be fun...then stopped abruptly when she realized the girl was being serious, a look of shock, appall and terror on her wide-eyed face. "You're not joking." She stated it as a fact, because Ari?nna was not laughing.

"Dear God in heaven, I need to get out of this place." She said it more to herself than to the girl seated before her, if a noble girl could be driven to...mucking out the stalls of beasts of burden by her boredom, she wondered what other lengths people went to for fun. She was a delicate (spoiled) lady of the court! This could not be all there was to her life! If anything, this interaction was only serving to convince Marian that whatever plans she was making for escape needed to be stepped up immediately, and put on a rush. She could not stay here if she intended to retain her sanity...not with bandits and boredom running rampant.

"I think not." Marian shook her head staunchly when Ari?nna tried to assure her that one day, she might just turn to embroidery for her entertainment, thoroughly convinced that she would never be that bored. She had to get out of here before it came to that. "I'd sooner hang myself with the embroidery thread." She added petulantly, making a silent oath to herself that if the ladies' task ever did look inviting, she would do something of the like in great haste before she succumbed. Of all the things she would willfully do...enjoying embroidery was not on the list.

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[ella]

Ari?nna shook her head. "It's not a sore topic... I rather enjoy bashing my 'borthers' name. It's quite the past time... I must say..." She said with a bit of a shrug. It was something to do, coming up with new ways to 'hate him' of course most of the ideas came right from her brother. But she pulled them off well. They did have a good thing going. If she ran out of ideas to look like she hated him, Robert always had a few more to give her. It was rather fun when they talked about it. Though it was always hard when people agreed with her. She could make fun and hate on her brother all she wanted...but when others did it... it sort of touched a nerve... one that as not hit on often. She was still learning how to keep that under control. "Clearly he is the most incompetent man. But who am I to say that about my...dear.... father..figure." She said through slightly ginned teeth. She was not trying to hide her apparent dislike for him, but she was not putting it out there. She knew Lady Marian disliked him as much as she did.. but still it was no reason for Ari?nna to run her mouth.

Lady Marian's reaction was enough to make Ari?nna giggle a little. No she was not kidding, but this was yet another forum of entertainment. Messing with people, one of Ari?nna's most favorite thing. She could not help it, the reactions she gets from some people just make her week. She could have some fun with the new comer.Though she had to be nice for a little while, or at least make sure Lady Marian did not suspect Ari?nna as the culprit. "You must not worry... with me around... there is always something to do. I'm pretty good at creating my own fun." She said hiding behind a sly smile. Oh the fun she would have with her dear father. Yes.... he was always a target. She just had to put everything in place and make herself right and busy. He never looked at her for such jokes. It was a fun life...

Ari?nna just laughed at her comment. Ah if only that was a way out. Ari?nna would have taken it, if her brother had not made her swear not to. Dang brother making her do stupid things. If only... if only. She shook her head as the giggles left her. Ah yes... if it were only that simple. She had no idea how exciting life could get down here... of course being a double agent kept you pretty busy. And of course trying to make the life of the sheriff as painful as possible... that kept a women busy as well. There was of course always something to do... you just had to know the right people, and have a sinister though in your mind.

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[Marian Cooper]

Marian smiled a little when Ari?nna admitted that she didn't mind talking about her brother; or rather, bashing him. "I can't blame you for that. The man's positively repulsive; a selfish, arrogant, boorish brute." She scowled, thinking back to her personal experience with the bandit. No, she did not care for Robert of Locksley, and she was somewhat glad that his own sister seemed to feel the same way. How awful did a man have to be that even his own family hated him? As bad as Robert, apparently.

But her next comment threw Marian a bit, and brought the smile back to her face as she criticized the Sheriff. And here Marian had thought that she might be the only one in the whole castle who didn't like the man, yet the first person she spoke to seemed to share her sentiments. "And here I thought I'd be the only one who didn't think the man walked on water." She replied, noticing the way Ari?nna tried to recover by calling him her...father figure? Ugh. She was supposed to marry a man who a woman her age considered like her father.

Marian looked a little skeptical when Ari?nna assured her she could find something to do; maybe she ought to call that bluff, see if she really did have all these skills. "All right, I believe you. Let's go have some fun." She proposed, a grin coming to her face. But...one addendum. "As long as you're not in a mood to muck out the stables, that is." Marian wasn't quite that bored yet.

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[ella]

Ari?nna smiled. "Oh that he is!" She said shaking her head. She could not argue with that... he was different that was for sure. Love him as she may...still he was a little off...sometimes.... But... how.... "Wait." she said thinking on it for a moment. She must have meet him. "Have you had the displeasure of meeting my" She said wringing her face to show her displeasure. "Wonderful brother." She said clearly being sarcastic....or making it seem like she was. She had to have meet him, no one could truly know how.... arrogant he was without a meeting or two.... Lucky her.

Ari?nna shook her head. "I'd rather the company of my brother then that man. But don't let him hear me saying that, or it would ruin everything I'm working for." She said with a small shrug. Yeah she had a lot going for her, and all it took was a little hug and a smile to the man. He was puddy in her hands... only not at all, but she liked to think he was, made her feel better about herself.

Fun. Ari?nna could use some fun. She let herself laugh at her next comment. No she was in no mood for such work. "Well... I have been working on....nah... lets start small." She said to herself really. Best not bring in Lady Marian yet. No she should not be aloud to help mess with the man she would marry... not until after the wedding at least. "Well... " She said thinking. "We can go to the market, see what's for sale or we can play some petty pranks on the people who have taken over my family's home." She said with a perfectly cheery voice. A good prank never hurt anyone. Well... usually.

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[Marian Cooper]

Marian frowned when Ariánna guessed correctly, that she had met her brother, then gave a nod. "He certainly thinks quite highly of himself, that brother of yours." She agreed with her; although at least now she knew that he didn't think himself wonderful, even if he was a cocky bastard nonetheless. He had no illusions that he was doing good; if anything, he was purposely trying to be bad for no reason other than to piss off the sheriff. And it was working.

Marian was very surprised to hear that Ariánna preferred her brother to the sheriff...now that was interesting. "And, if I might ask, just what is it you're working towards?" She couldn't help but ask, starting to have her doubts about Ari?nna's claims that she really looked up to the sheriff as much as she seemed to want people to believe. So why did she want people to believe it? If she was lying about her allegiance to the sheriff, what else was she lying about? Marian would have to keep an eye on this one.

Marian was intrigued by what the girl started to say, before she stopped. Start small, hmm? She might have liked to find out where that sentence was supposed to have ended, but she figured it might be best not to push it. "I've been to the market, and it's unfortunately rather lacking in anything of interest, so let's go with the latter plan." Marian had never been much for pranks, but neither had she been one for breaking the rules before she'd come to Nottingham. She sensed that was going to come to an abrupt about face here. "So what kind of pranks did you have in mind?" She smiled mischievously, all sorts of ready to do something bad herself.

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