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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 17, 2009 2:54:46 GMT 1
"Well then, if she is such a cruel mistress, I will surely have to vanquish her for you." Getting to his feet, Robin moved swiftly to her door, opening it a crack, as if he might do that very thing. He wasn't going to, of course, but teasing her made good sport.
"It is not so much the forest ground, Mary, as the lack of warmth, the rain finding its way into everything, and the smell. Honestly, we all smell foul." Robin laughed, rolling his eyes. "Listen to me go on as if any of that is a big deal. They are happy enough sacrifices on my part."
"Oh, worry not Mary. I have no intention of forgetting the goose. But suddenly you are in such a hurry to be rid of me? I suppose I was right about the smell."
"If you would like to take me up on my offer, viewing my face or not, I'm afraid you'll have to stand in line. Apparently, I am quite popular. Famous, you know." He grinned.
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 17, 2009 3:03:03 GMT 1
Mary slapped his arm, "You are terrible. And I fear I have enlarged your ego. The line, I suppose is of all blind and ill maids?"
Mary took a sniff of the air, and captured her nose between her thumb and forefinger, "The air quality has gone down gravely since your arrival, but I have no intention to be rid of you. I have no visitors and the Matron only means to critize on the needs of my correction. Which gets tiresome."
At his comment to the goose, she laughed. "A way to a man's heart is through his stomach is it not?"
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 17, 2009 3:14:11 GMT 1
Robin mock pouted. "You tell me I am terrible frequently, Mary. I may start believing you soon. And I will have you know, the line is long and full of girls of varying beauty, and perfect sight, from both here and..." He was about to say Acre, or perhaps the Holy Land, but then he realised she possibly had no concept of that, and that it might seem inappropriate to discuss. "...other places."
Laughing, Robin looked down at himself. "Perhaps when I return to the forest I shall take a small swim. I am rather overdue for a bath."
"No Mary, you have it wrong. The way to an outlaw's heart is through offering him an alternative to squirrel."
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 17, 2009 3:23:42 GMT 1
"Really? Well, then I stand corrected. They must be desperate then." She couldn't let him get away with out a slam. She sounded like she would admit defeat, but that later sentence defeated that purpose.
"Stick around long enough and tonites dinner is deer." She gave him a grin.
"I suppose I am rather hard on you Robin. But tell me you do not enjoy it and it will cease." She turned away, giving a haughty pout. But she turned and watched him from the corner of her eye.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 17, 2009 3:30:03 GMT 1
"Desperate, Mary? Oh how your words wound me. It is surely a good thing that I live amongst a bunch of unruly outlaws. I am quite used to insults of every nature."
Robin grinned. "Oh, and I am quite sure your...witch downstairs would be thrilled to have my company for dinner. Perhaps you should join me for dinner. You have not lived until you have tried Much's squirrel stew."
Moving to stand beside her, Robin raised an eyebrow. "Surely the lady does not pout? Not when I allow her to tease me so?"
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 17, 2009 3:35:35 GMT 1
Mary's eyes grew wide at the sound of the stew. "It sounds... lovely... truley... But if you were to clean up and wear clean clothes, I'm certain you could pass off for a passing noble from a distant town." She gave a smirk, "One who had an unfortunate accident in your youth."
Robin approached her, she turned away, even more. When he couldn't see her face she grinned and then tucked it inward. "I am not pouting, what are you talking about?" She bit her lip and fought back her grin as she turned to face him, cocking her eyebrow. "I would tease even if you did not allow it. Who am I kidding."
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 17, 2009 3:45:06 GMT 1
Robin answered, his tone full of laughter. "Clean clothes and cleaning up, I can do. Tragically, this old face is the one you are stuck with. Though I have to point out this...fascination you seem to have with it."
Putting a finger under her chin when she turned back, Robin studied her face, drawing out the moment. "Oh, there was certainly a pout there. And I am well aware, for nothing could stop your insults."
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 17, 2009 3:51:50 GMT 1
"The fasnication I have is that your face, brings this feeling to me... I'm not sure how to explain it..." She had a mischeivous twinkle in her eyes. But she changed the subject.
"No power in heaven, or hell, or on this earth could stop me. I have this need to insult you however I feel possible. I enjoy it so."
Mary had made him wait long enough to know what feeling this was, and though she wanted to say it was butterflies, or giant moths, she bit her tounge and said proudly. "The feeling is... an upset stomache." She grinned proudly, and took his finger from beneath her chin. And then poking his cheek with her own finger.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 17, 2009 3:57:38 GMT 1
"Fear not Mary, for I also enjoy teasing you. It is so much more fun than with Much. He gets rather grumpy with me."
Robin frowned at her words, realising now that perhaps to carry on such silly flirtations with a girl who admired him so had been a mistake.
He chuckled heartily at her proclaiming it was an upset stomach. "No doubt it was some of that goose you have promised me, and that is your secret plan. To give me food poisoning."
When she poked his cheek, in retaliation Robin reached out and ruffled her hair. "Did I hear you tell your witch downstairs you would be resting? Now you look the part," he said this nodding in satisfaction at her now ruffled and messy hair.
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 17, 2009 4:01:32 GMT 1
Mary faked a yawn, stretching out. "I do not mean to posion you. What would England do without you? Perhaps not fall to the invasion of your ego, but I suppose I will have to sacrfice that."
There suddenly came a knock at the door, "Margaret?" the voice was shrill. "Child I have come to see how you fair."
She knocked again.
"Just a moment." Margaret jumped quickly into her bed, lowering her voice for Robin. "Hide, you have no time to leap out the shutter." The door began to open.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 17, 2009 4:07:03 GMT 1
"My ego shall have it's way, Mary. Nothing may stop it, it has a will of its own."
At the high pitched voice on the other side of the door, Robin moved to grab his bow from where he had left it standing against the wall by the window.
At Mary's words, he looked around the sparsely furnished room, only leaving enough time for him to duck behind the door as it opened, for lack of an alternative.
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 17, 2009 4:17:26 GMT 1
Mary chuckled, stifling it as the Matron entered. The woman's eyes were cynical as they feel on the girl who lay pretending to be sickly in bed. "If a little work makes you sick, then what inspired you into this mess you are in?"
"Matron, whatever do you mean?" She acted weak, as she spoke, letting her head rest back against the pillow groggily.
"Your father did not send you here for entertainment, or to permenatly vex me. You were punished for disordely conduct with that James fellow. You worked awfully hard with him, they way you were out all night "helping the poor" as you said." The Matron, laid a cool wet towel over Mary's forhead. "Obviously you can work hard."
"Matron, that is in my past. I cannot deny it, but I am sorry for this predicament it has put you in. I am trying to be a lady, sincerly."
"You have it in you, but you're just like your mother. Stubborn and bold. And she died. That lad was stubborn, and he was hung. You will die too, if you act like them." Mary felt a tear well in her eyes. "Don't cry you spoiled child. Sleep if you must, and wither away. See if I care." The Matron stormed from the room, leaving Mary alone with Robin yet again.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 17, 2009 4:23:06 GMT 1
Once the door was shut, Robin emerged from his hiding place, bow clasped loosely in his hand.
He approached the bed, sitting on the edge, facing Mary. When he saw her tears, he reached out, wiping one gently away.
"What is this? Surely not tears from the brave and fearsome Margaret d'Anthony? Do not let her words affect you so. If she is correct, and you take after your Mother, then surely she was a proud and wonderful woman."
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 17, 2009 12:44:14 GMT 1
"She wears me down, again and again." Mary slid out under the blankets, wiping away her tears, sliding to sit on the edge of the bed."Fearsome? Me? You think too much of me." She gave a weak smile.
"My mother was a great woman from what I have been told my servants at my home. I was two when she died, and even that never gets a straight answer. I don't know what my mother did that was so great. But so many times I am told and I am the spiting creation of her."
Mary sat there staring at the floor, "What of your parents, Robin?" For some reason, not a wity, sarcastic, slam could be found in her words.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 18, 2009 0:46:41 GMT 1
Robin wrapped an arm around Mary's small shoulders. She looked so forlorn. He had never liked seeing women cry.
"Perhaps your mother wore a mask and terrorised evil folk during the night, Mary. I hardly think too much of you. Not just anyone would fight for justice, or have the daring to take on my insurmountable ego."
He closed his eyes at her question, picturing their faces. "They both died long ago, Mary. When I was still a boy. Sometimes I still long for my Father's wisdom and guidance, I must say."
Dropping his arm from her shoulders, he gave her a nudge, smiling. "Now, enough of this moping."
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