|
|
Post by Robin Of The Woods on Sept 14, 2011 2:47:12 GMT -5
"And you need to stop listening to bed time stories meant to amuse little boys and frighten little girls." He countered, not affected by her words. He had come to terms that he lost his knighthood, and while it hurt his pride and his honor he'd learned not to let it show. If you blinked, they'd take you down. He knew how they worked; hell, he'd be apart of them. Like dogs they were, always attacking the weaker.
When she backed away, he took a steps forward to match her steps back; mindful of her annoying stick. He was going to have to take that from her if she tried to play hero with it. "No you are not lost your 'west' of the castle." Which brought him to his question of what the hell was west? "You're the only thing that's west of the castle!" As far as he knew at least. Something could have changed. "You and trees. Miles of trees and woods that I rule over. . . . "
"Were you coming to see me?" He taunted her, stepping closer more as she backed more, "Are stories at night, not enough for you?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Marian Cooper on Sept 14, 2011 11:50:22 GMT -5
 Marian rolled her eyes at what he said about bedtime stories. That was about the extent of her knowledge on the infamous theif; she'd been far too busy plotting her escape since she arrived to pay much heed to the tales of wicked banditry going on out in the woods. This wasn't going according to plan at all...maybe next time she should think ahead a little further than getting a disguise and sneaking out, but she'd just have to leave that lesson until the next escape attempt. "And you needn't concern yourself. I'm not frightened of you." Wary, yes. Foolhardy, obviously. But frightened? No, never. Not even if she should be.
"Why would you want to help the Sheriff? I thought you hated the man." Almost as much as she did, because she really didn't see how he could hate him more. Maybe equally as much, but not more. She kept backing up, and as long as he only maintained the distance between them, she didn't move. But then he had to go and suggest something indecent, and even as she scowled he got too close for comfort, and she lashed out with her 'little stick', aiming a sharp blow at his solar plexus. With any luck, it would send him staggering backwards. "Why would I possibly want to see you?" [/size][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by Robin Of The Woods on Sept 14, 2011 14:10:20 GMT -5
"Why would you want to help the Sheriff? I thought you hated the man. Why would I possibly want to see you?" Good question. Both of them really but the first particularly. "Oh don't get me wrong little lady, I do hate the man. One day I am going to kill him, but only after I have made him loose everything he owes. I want him broken before dead." It was a new level of hate for that man. Shocking really but there.
Robert saw her swing her little stick at him and he stepped back enough that it only just touched him, rather then hit him full force. He wouldn't let him keep back for long. He'd give her points for trying to bring him down; she had spark. She was still going back. "I want that man hating his every day life." Had she caught on yet? His master plan was right there before her. Everyone knew that the sheriff hated her, and on some level must hate the prince for sending her. If she was around to annoy the hell out of him, then that deep hidden level of hate for the prince would grow. Turn bitter. Break whatever bond the men had.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marian Cooper on Sept 14, 2011 22:23:59 GMT -5
Marian blinked as he explained his plans for the Sheriff, and she took back what she had thought earlier about hating the Sheriff. She wasn't sure she could ever hate anyone so much. It was kind of twisted...and she really wanted to get away from both of these men, before she was used as just another pawn in their game. But if he hated him and wanted to take everything from him...why did he want to give him a wife? She frowned when he stepped back out of reach, her staff just barely falling short of hitting him full force, but at least now he was further back. She twirled her staff between both hands, getting ready for another strike should he approach again.
When he finished speaking, she understood. So it was common knowledge that the Sheriff hated her. She wondered if the Prince had heard those rumors, and if he did, would he change his mind about their marriage? No, he couldn't do that, it would be admitting he had made a mistake, if he had to take it back. And men never admitted their mistakes, so she was still on her own, with the odds just stacking up against her. But if Robin had his way, and he did drive the Sheriff insane, what hope did she have? "You're going to get me killed." Her voice was quiet, not accusatory or pleading, just stating the fact, more to herself than to him. Because if she stayed, and his plan succeeded, who was the Sheriff going to take all his rage out on? [/color][/size] |
|
|
|
Post by Robin Of The Woods on Sept 16, 2011 22:31:41 GMT -5
Get her killed? People were dropping dead slowly from no food and stupid rules and she was worried? The sheriff wouldn't hurt one of his own. "Oh yes, explaining why you are not here anymore will really turn him good with the prince. You were a gift from him. Surely he'd want you to stay all shinny and pretty in case the prince came for a visit?"
Besides, Robert's own sister was the ward of the man. She was fine for the most part. Kept poor and embarrassed but keep alive and fed. He would not treat her worse then his wife. He didn't believe she'd be in danger. While a curl man he would not wish to be kicked out of his life. When in politics any wrong move could get him outcasted and earn the displeasure of London.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marian Cooper on Sept 16, 2011 23:20:51 GMT -5
"As if he wouldn't just pin it on you. Just one more thing to hang you for; pity they can only do it once." She replied bitterly, pointing out what seemed the most obvious solution. She was sure the Sheriff would see it, too, even if the earl turned outlaw didn't. Maybe he had more honor left than he credited himself for; he certainly had more than the Sheriff. She'd watched her mother lose her mind after she lost what was most important to her, so she didn't put a lot of stock in the theory that she'd be fine because the Sheriff wanted to keep her pretty for the Prince's benefit. She'd seen too many men turn a blind eye to their friend's wives' bruises to believe that was true.
But she doubted she'd be able to convince him of any of that; he was a man, after all, even if he was outlawed. So she decided to try a different tactic. "I'll help you." She proposed, lowering her staff just a little bit to show she was serious. "You think he hates me now? I can be the worst thing to happen to him since...well, you." She suggested, she was confident in her ability to annoy the Sheriff, she'd only been here a week and she had done well so far. "But only if you swear, and really swear, on something that matters, that you'll let me leave before the wedding." She had no reason to trust his word, but it was better than nothing, and besides, if she already helped him to make the Sheriff crazy, then maybe her usefulness would be over by then, and he'd have no reason to stop her. "It'll make him even crazier. Men only put up with women for one reason...and he'll have to put up with me for months, and then when it's finally supposed to be worth it, you'll take that away from him." Because Marian was a good girl, and she certainly wasn't about to climb into bed with him before then. Or ever. She tried to make this all sound very convincing, but she thought it was a good plan. It certainly wouldn't cost him anything. [/size][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by Robin Of The Woods on Sept 23, 2011 22:21:28 GMT -5
Robert stared at her for a few moments before the thought hit him; Bloody hell she was serious. Or was she? He wasn't about to swear anything to a girl he'd just meet; and trusted her as far as she could though him. "That's an excellent idea!" He said sounding enthusiastic and slightly sarcastic. She was one little girl; she wasn't going to annoy the man any more then he could.
"Tell me little girl; just how do you plan to make the man crazy?" He taunted and asked with honest curiosity. If she failed to thrill him he was going to toss her over his shoulder and carry her back to the castle and all but put a bow on her to return her to the sheriff. Why would she want to help an outlaw she thought was a blood thirsty idiot in anyway? He had enough people to protect and didn't need some pretty girl trying to play the two sides of the field. "And why should I want your help?
|
|
|
|
Post by Marian Cooper on Sept 23, 2011 23:00:27 GMT -5
It was his enthusiasm, not his sarcasm, that gave him away. She rolled her eyes and turned away, well, that wasn't going to work. "Well if you don't think I can do anything, why not just let me leave now? If I'm not going to be able to make any difference to his mental health one way or another, what's the point in forcing me to go back?" She turned his own words back on him; he was being such a hypocrite, she couldn't stand it.
"Nothing so extravagant as setting a carriage on fire, I'm afraid." She had heard about that, yes. "But making someone lose it isn't always about the big things." She knew how little, irritating things could get under someone's skin; making things disappear when they needed them, then putting them back in their place when they didn't anymore, making them wonder if it had been there all along. She'd been a little sister for enough years, she knew how to annoy people, and she knew how to do it in ways that a fugitive bandit wouldn't be able to get away with.
"And what does my help cost you?" She didn't know why he was so opposed to her help at all. "If I do or don't try to get under his skin, what difference would it make to you? If I succeed, you drive him crazy a little sooner. If I don't, you proceed with your evil schemes anyways, and get whatever result you will. All I want is to leave. If you don't want my help, then let me be on my way!" She wasn't interesting in spying for him, or even seeing him again. If she held up her part of the bargain, she just wanted to leave. "Or I could just go back and be a meek little wife, do whatever I'm told and generally try to be the demure little lamb I'm supposed to be." She rolled her eyes, as if she would ever do that. "And then I wouldn't be serving either of our purposes, now would I?" [/size][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by Robin Of The Woods on Sept 23, 2011 23:24:27 GMT -5
"Well if you don't think I can do anything, why not just let me leave now? Temping bbuuttt No. If I'm not going to be able to make any difference to his mental health one way or another, what's the point in forcing me to go back?" Pure joy on his part. "Nothing so extravagant as setting a carriage on fire, I'm afraid." He chuckled aloud; highly amused at the reminder. She'd heard of that had she? "But making someone lose it isn't always about the big things." It was about so much more; he knew but did she really know it? "And what does my help cost you?" Apparently her freedom and well being; NO! Nothing small at all. "Or I could just go back and be a meek little wife, do whatever I'm told and generally try to be the demure little lamb I'm supposed to be." Finally! A plan worth talking about! "And then I wouldn't be serving either of our purposes, now would I?" She had a purpose? If she had one then why was she running from it?
She was starting to talk too much for his tastes but he just started at her letting her finish her little high and nightly rant that only a lady of the court would be able to give while looking down at a taller man. "Let me see if I understand the whole point of the last two minutes of your rambling." He was just trying to annoy her now; get a rise out of her and see how she would react. Robert liked annoying people. He enjoying watching them and seeing just how they worked and them saying the right thing at the right moment and watching the fire explode.
"You want me to swear to get you away; in return for annoying the sheriff?" That was the shortened non-angry version of what she'd said at least. "Away where?" Everyone she went; her family or friends would send her back at fear of the prince. "And you've yet to tell me how you plan to annoy him."
|
|
|
|
Post by Marian Cooper on Sept 23, 2011 23:36:35 GMT -5
She folded her arms over her chest when he was trying to get straight what she had said. He was extremely annoying, and she wasn't doing a very good job at hiding her displeasure. Marian was said to have a very honest face; she usually didn't have to lie, so now it did her no good when she really ought to start. When he finished speaking, she gave an exasperated sigh.
"No, I don't want anything from you! I don't need you to get me away, all I need you to do is get out of my damn way! I can handle the rest on my own, all you have to do is stand aside! See? Easy! You don't have to do a damn thing except wave as I walk past by you!" She wasn't quite yelling at him...but she was pretty close. "Are all your men as thick as you are? Or did they choose you to be king of the idiots because you outdo the rest with your sheer stupidity?" She didn't see the downside for him. She didn't want a damn thing from him, she just wanted him to call off his bandits from hunting her dwn when she made her own escape. Why was he so...problematic? [/size][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by Robin Of The Woods on Sept 24, 2011 0:01:01 GMT -5
"No, I don't want anything from you! I don't need you to get me away, all I need you to do is get out of my damn way! I can handle the rest on my own, all you have to do is stand aside! See? Easy! You don't have to do a damn thing except wave as I walk past by you!" Really now! She'd not even tried to walk around him! Just assumed he would not let her pass. "Are all your men as thick as you are?" "Depends, do you them thick?" He shot out the taunting dirty remark quickly as she kept going. He wasn't sure if she even heard him over her self righteous rambles. "Or did they choose you to be king of the idiots because you outdo the rest with your sheer stupidity?"
He paused for a moment to stare at her after she was finished. "Oh? Is it my turn to speak now or would you like to spew your lashing out more? Really now; if this is how you treat men no wonder the good Sheriff is seeking to be rid of you!" It was spoken with sarcasm but he meant it as well. He'd known her less the an half an hour and she was attacking him; insulting him; and bitching up a storm like it was HIS fault. "If your done bitching at me and it is in deed my turn to speak then you will see you've yet to answer me question."
"How?" He shrugged, "A simple question but I am thinking that you don't have a damn clue. I think you're a chilly little ball of fire and any men would wish to be rid of your insane BITCHING even if it meant letting you run away." He rolled his eyes and looked back at her; "Your going back either way. If you wish to annoy the sheriff--by all means! If you wish to cry prettily and blame me for everything--be my guest. I don't care. I don't need your help; and you've yet to offer me something I want. So you have only to answer one last question . . . "
"Do you wish to walk with your frozen pride in tact or should I bind and GAG you and drag you behind my horse?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Marian Cooper on Sept 24, 2011 0:33:17 GMT -5
Marian's jaw dropped with the indignity of his comment, stunned by his indecency. It wasn't true that she usually spoke to men like this; but neither did she usually find herself wandering through the woods, dressed as a man to escape a marriage that seemed so much worse than death. These weren't exactly typical circumstances! She didn't like that she couldn't exactly argue with what he was saying, but at the moment, she didn't really give a damn about being polite and well behaved. He'd said numerous times that she was a bitch...so maybe she just ought to really start acting like one.
"...no wonder the good Sheriff is seeking to be rid of you!" "Maybe I only speak this way to impossible men! I'm surprised the two of you don't get along better; you're both exactly the same!" She answered, so far, she hadn't seen much difference. They were both arrogant, and treated her like something to be scraped off the bottom of their boots, so why should she treat them with any respect? "How?" She opened her mouth to answer, but he just kept right on going. Apparently her turn to ramble senselessly had ended and now it was his turn to have a go. "Your going back either way." And that settled that.
"Do you wish to walk with your frozen pride in tact or should I bind and GAG you and drag you behind my horse?" And her answer was to swing her staff towards his stupid, arrogant, over-sized head, because Marian was not going to play the part of the kidnapped damsel who just did as her captor bid. And that went for the Sheriff too; much as she'd threatened to back down and be the dutiful wife, she knew she couldn't do it. She'd still try to escape, and she'd still speak her mind and piss the Sheriff off and do whatever it took to get away. It just wasn't in her to give up without a fight. [/size][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by Robin Of The Woods on Sept 26, 2011 21:54:36 GMT -5
Did he strike a nerve? One moment she was staring at him in surprise and the next she was swinging that bloody damn stick at him. Robert stepped back quickly to avoid getting hit and nearly tripped on some roots behind him. His horse side stepped to back up and by the time he was on his feet and had control of his horse he was now angry.
Robert turn toward her and lunged for the stick; so he could pull it out of her reach with one hand and hang unto her with the other arm. He was going to burn the damn thing the next fire he found or made. "Now, now; I haven't made you angry have I?" He hoped like hell he did. He was about to return the favor majorly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marian Cooper on Sept 26, 2011 23:26:23 GMT -5
Marian lost her balance when she lashed out and her blow did not land; she had struck out in anger, and her attack was ill-conceived. She should have waited for a better moment. But the time she had recovered her footing, he seemed to have found his own, and he was advancing; he grabbed her staff with one hand, as though to wrench it from her grasp, but she held fast with both hands, refusing to let him take her only weapon. If he were to use his full strength, she had no doubt he'd be able to overpower her, but for the moment, his focus was split, as he reached for her with his other hand.
"Of course not," she breathed with as much innocence as she could muster, but the sarcasm hung heavy on every word. She didn't want to give him the chance to try and take her staff again; she shoved back on it with her full weight, trying to dislodge him and force him back; if he lost his footing again, it might give her a chance to attack more successfully. "I take offense only to your face; it is an affront to the world." Yes, she was trying to make him angry. People were stupid when they were angry, as she'd just demonstrated. "I wonder what your father did to so anger the Lord that he would curse you with such a hideous visage." [/size][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by Robin Of The Woods on Oct 3, 2011 23:28:33 GMT -5
"I take offense only to your face; it is an affront to the world." Oh well ouch. That one hurt. He mentally rolled his eyes at her words since even his thoughts were sarcastic. "Your the only woman to think so. I happen to know I have a a face that make them go soft in favorite places." He was returning the favor of just trying to piss her off.
"I wonder what your father did to so anger the Lord that he would curse you with such a hideous visage." But she bet him too it. The mystery of his father's 'death' and not saying good bye and all the other abundance of issues between he and his father caused his normally charming mood to become slightly damaged. Bitch just hit below the belt. Fought dirty.
Fine; two could play that game. He bounced her and used the second that he had free to shift his hand more north east to cup something soft and round as a way to piss her off in return; and try to make her more focused on getting his hand off her then her bloody stick. He also stretched his other arm that was holding the staff out more to make it harder for her to hold onto it.
|
|
